Kids can vote alongside their parents in Sunday's election
Children asked to answer question: 'In Montreal, what is most important to you?'
For the first time, children in Montreal will get a chance to vote during Sunday's municipal election.
But instead of choosing the city's next mayor, they will answer the question: "In Montreal, what is most important to you?"
This pilot project falls under the Chief Electoral Officer's umbrella, in collaboration with Élection Montréal, and the mini ballot boxes will be available at 19 polling locations across the city.
"The question is simple, but it could give interesting and enlightening results for our decision-makers," said Pierre Laporte, a spokesperson for Élection Montréal.
Children who participate will have four choices on the ballot in front of them:
- Arenas, sports centres, and swimming pools.
- Buses, the metro and the train.
- Libraries, recreation centres and concerts.
- Parks, play modules and green spaces.
The initiative began as a pilot project during a provincial byelection in May as a way to familiarize kids with democracy.
Unlike their parents, children will not need to be registered or verified on the list of electors.
Equipped with their own voting booths and ballot boxes, kids who participate can even choose to get temporary tattoos that read "I voted" once their choice has been made.
After the elections, the results will be revealed — of course, they will not be binding for the victorious administration.
Although Élection Montréal has not set a participation goal for this election, if there's a good response, it's possible 470 polling stations will be opened for children's votes in the 2021 municipal elections.
Make a date with CBC for election night this Sunday, Nov. 5:
Online: Get breaking news and live results at cbc.ca/montreal after polls close at 8 p.m.
On Facebook: Join host Debra Arbec for a 90-minute Facebook Live starting at 10 p.m. with results, analysis and reports from across Quebec.
On TV: Watch our live results show from 11 to 11:30 p.m. on CBC Television.
On Radio: Listen to CBC Radio One starting at 8 p.m. for a province-wide show hosted by Mike Finnerty in Montreal and Susan Campbell in Quebec City.
With files from Radio-Canada's Jérôme Labbé