Mid and East Antrim pupils take part in unique Children’s Authors Election
Monday 10 March 2025
Sixteen local primary schools took part in a unique election experience as part of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Democracy Week events.
The pupils were casting their vote for their favorite children’s author from a selection of six candidates who agreed to let their names go forward to the electorate.
Children’s authors Hilary Bailey, Andrew Crooks, Paddy Donnelly, Marianne McShane, Ellan Rankin, and Morna Sullivan were all on the ballot paper. As part of the event, special election posters were produced and a booklet with the candidates’ statements was provided for the pupils, as were ballot boxes.
Voting took place on Thursday, 6 March, and the following day two local Ballymena schools - Carniny Primary School and St. Colmcille’s Primary School - counted the 1621 votes which were cast.
As part of the visit, they also visited the Mayor’s Parlour and Council Chamber, with their host, Deputy Mayor, Councillor Bréanainn Lyness.
Taking part in the elections were Ballymena schools: Ballykeel Primary, Braidside Integrated, Camphill Primary, Carniny Primary, Clough Primary, Diamond Primary in Cullybackey, Gracehill Primary, Portglenone Primary, St. Bridget’s Primary, St. Colmcille’s Primary.
In Carrickfergus, Central Integrated Primary, Oakfield Primary and Victoria Primary, and in Larne, Ballycarry Primary, Linn Primary, Moyle Primary and Whitehead Primary cast their ballots.
The outcome of the election was a victory for Ballycastle-born author Paddy Donnelly, who has written and illustrated books including ‘The Vanishing Lake’, ‘Dodos are not Extinct’ and ‘Wolves in Helicopters’. In second place was Ellen Rankin, author of ‘The Secret Elephant’, with Ballymena teacher and author, Andrew Crooks, coming in third.
The event was one of a series marking themes of local democracy, which included Getting to know your Councillor events in Larne, Carrickfergus and Ballymena, and visits to the Mayor’s Parlour by local schools to learn about the role of the Mayor and how the council operates.