Students Voting In National Mock Election

Voting has begun in this year’s election – the National Student Mock Election.

The election gives students a chance to vote for candidates at the state and national levels. In Arkansas, 34,626 students from 147 Arkansas schools are participating, according to state coordinator Lisa Young, education and visitor services specialist at the Arkansas secretary of state’s office.

Founded in 1980, the election claims to be the country’s largest civic education project and the world’s biggest national mock election. Through the years, more than 50 million students have participated. The election is now sponsored by the Pearson Foundation.

Schools can participate in the election in a variety of ways, though all voting is done online. Some simulate a voting experience in school with voting booths, while some have students cast their ballots at home. Teachers can use resources and lesson plans provided by the national organization. Students also can take part in pre-election online polls.

The election continues through Nov. 1, and results will be announced the next day. According to Stacey Finkel with the Pearson Foundation, President Obama won the National Student Mock Election vote in 2008.