Resources: Quick guide to ... mock elections

1. One of the benefits of mock elections is what they can teach young people - and adults too - about processes. The whole paraphernalia of electorates, nominations, manifestos, agents, election addresses, hustings, canvassers, ballot boxes and returning officers is off-putting if you don't know what it means. The fun starts when you get familiar with the rules of the game. So try to match all mock election processes as closely as possible to the real events.

2. While process is key, so is content. Young people disengage from mainstream politics when they feel it has little relevance to their lives. So encourage young people to build electioneering around issues that affect them. Persuading people that candidates have the power to change anything may be a challenge. But judging whether any candidate's election promises are likely to be delivered is a core life skill.