Community News

A NEW GENERATION OF VOTERS READY TO CAST THEIR BALLOTS

POLITICIANS NEED TO HEAR YOUNG VOICES, GFESS STUDENTS SAY "I'll vote for whoever best lines up with my morals and values."

RICHARD HUTTON rhutton@niagara thisweek.com

They're first-time voters, they're motivated and for the most part, they're undecided.

But for five students at Greater Fort Erie Secondary School (GFESS), the upcoming provincial election is important as they feel it will be the first time they get the chance to have their voices heard.

For Sasha Knutt, it means doing some homework. "It's about being informed," she said, adding politicians need to pay attention to the younger demographic such as the GFESS group. "They need to get the facts out to younger people about the issues they care about."

Issues that come up in the conversation with Knutt and the other four students — Claudia Oliver, Morgan Gabrys, Reese Horvath and Keenan Chevalier — range from climate change to jobs to affordable housing.

But all of them feel it's up to them to learn about each party's stance on those issues before they head to the polls.

"It's best to get informed," Knutt said. "And find out who you think is going to get the most done during their time."

For Oliver, going out to vote is a no-brainer. She has been encouraged by her family to take part in the electoral process and will align her vote with whom she thinks will be the best representative at Queen's Park to represent

PROVINCIAL ELECTION

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2022-05-19T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-05-19T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://communitynews.pressreader.com/article/281487869957272

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