Y VOTE MOCK ELECTIONS

Step 1: Initial Preparation

• Decide what kind of mock election you want to run. We have resources for running general elections, European elections, local elections and school council elections, as well as for the devolved assemblies and Parliaments. Each type of election has its own voting system and provides opportunities to learn about democracy on either a local, national or European level. Y Vote coordinate mock elections around the country to coincide with real elections –if for example there is a forthcoming general election why not use that election model and your school can be included in our national results.


• Decide how many pupils are going to be involved in your election – a whole year group? The whole school?


• Set out a timetable or calendar for your mock election. Organise an assembly to announce that the election is taking place and book a room for use on polling day.


• Get your senior management team on board and brief all staff about the election in a staff meeting. Let them know if you expect them to devote their tutor time or citizenship lessons to election activities. Recruit other staff members to support you. Appoint an election officer (this could be yourself).

Extension Activities:

Tell the local press about your Y Vote Mock Election Why not issue a press release to let the local press know about your mock election? Newspapers are often very interested in these sorts of events and they might even want to come along to speak to pupils and get some photos.
Download Editable Press Release Template

Organise a hustings with local politicians! Why not invite local politicians into your school for a hustings event? A hustings can provide students with an opportunity to give politicians a grilling on the issues that really matter to them. The Hansard Society’s ‘Elected Representatives in Schools’ publications offer advice on how to get politicians into schools and suggest some activities you may run on the day and beforehand. There is also advice on getting the local media to cover your event. You can request a free copy by emailing the (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Contact the local offices of political parties - inform them of your Y Vote Mock Election - they can be invaluable in providing leaflets, badges and other campaigning resources for students to use.

Find out what other schools are doing – check out our Y Vote map to see if there are any schools in your area running a mock election. Checking out our Y Vote stories section for case studies of what has gone on in other schools might also give you some good ideas for activities in your own school.