They are too young to vote in the May 9 B.C. provincial election, but three Summerland Secondary School students have been on the campaign trail.
Sarah Gottwald, Joseph Headland and Ethan Freistadt have been accompanying New Democratic Party candidate Tarik Sayeed as he has met with voters in Summerland.
Sayeed said his volunteers range in age from 14 to 87 and represent a diverse spectrum of voters and supporters.
“I can be the voice for everyone that I represent,” he said.
Gottwald said she became involved after attending the candidate forum at Centre Stage Theatre in April.
“He was very genuine,” she said of Sayeed’s presentation and responses.
Freistadt said he was interested in the New Democratic Party’s platform more than in the Liberal Party’s platform.
“We want to inform the people who are able to vote,” he said.
Sayeed has focussed on issues including education, affordability and mental health during this campaign.
Gottwald said the party’s approach to mental health component is one of the most appealing parts of the NDP platform.
Gottwald and Headland said most of the people have been polite during the door-knocking evenings and some have been willing to talk about the issues. However, at times they have had doors slammed.
The three said their experiences campaigning with Sayeed have been mostly positive.
Gottwald said she has been considering entering politics in the future, as a result of what she has seen and learned during this campaign process.