Part 1: Understanding Elections

New Zealand uses the Mixed-Member Proportional (MMP) voting system. In a general election, voters usually have two votes: a party vote and an electorate vote.

1. What is the main purpose of an election?

To choose representatives to make decisions

To select the wealthiest person

To decide which school is best

2. What does the party vote help decide?

The proportion of seats each party receives in Parliament

The weather for election day

The age of every voter

3. Which actions support a fair election? Select all that apply.

Listening to different points of view

Checking whether information is reliable

Sharing rumours about candidates

Respecting each person's right to vote

4. Explain why voting is an important responsibility in a democracy.

Part 2: Compare the Candidates

Read the fictional candidate statements below. Consider the benefits, costs and possible effects of each policy.

Aroha Ngata — Community First: “We will improve public transport, provide healthier school lunches and support affordable housing. Some funding would come from delaying selected road projects.”

Liam Chen — Future Forward: “We will expand digital technology in schools, support new businesses and build renewable energy projects. These plans may require increased government spending at first.”

Mereana Wilson — Environment and Wellbeing: “We will protect waterways, strengthen mental health services and reduce pollution. A levy on major polluters would help pay for these policies.”

5. Which candidate's policies most closely match your priorities? Give one reason.

6. Identify one possible benefit and one possible cost of the policy you selected.

7. Write one question you would ask a candidate before deciding how to vote.

Part 3: Cast Your Mock Vote

Choose one party vote and one electorate candidate vote. You may select the same candidate for both votes or make different choices. Your decision should be based on policies and evidence, not popularity.

8. My party vote is for:

Community First — Aroha Ngata

Future Forward — Liam Chen

Environment and Wellbeing — Mereana Wilson

9. My electorate candidate vote is for:

Aroha Ngata

Liam Chen

Mereana Wilson

10. Explain one reason for your voting choices. Use a policy from the candidate statements.

11. What should candidates and voters do if they disagree during an election?

Year 9 Mock Election

Year 9 Mock Election

Part 1: Understanding Elections

Part 2: Compare the Candidates

Part 3: Cast Your Mock Vote

About This Worksheet

Free in Kuraplan

Print-Ready

AI-Generated

For Teachers & Parents

Need a custom version of this worksheet?

Explore more free resources