Kids Vote: Area Students Take Part In Mock Election (With Results)

November 4, 2010

Students in Escambia County’s public middle and high schools on Tuesday cast a secure, online ballot in a simulated election through the Kids Voting “DoubleClick Democracy” initiative.

The students chose Republican Rick Scott as governor over Democratic Alex Sink. And, much like the real world results, it was a close race with about 2-percent more favoring Scott. Among North Escambia schools, Scott was victorious at Ernest Ward Middle, Ransom Middle, Northview High and Tate High.

The students made a different choice for U.S. Senator than adults in Florida, with Kendrick Meek receiving the most votes in the Kids Voting program. Marco Rubio, the actual winner on Tuesday, was the second choice among the middle and high school students in Escambia County.

Amendment 8, the class-size amendment, did not pass among the students, with 54.77 percent voting yes. A 60-percent approval was required for passage.

To see complete results from Escambia County’s schools, click here.

The Kids Voting “DoubleClick Democracy” program combines civic learning in the classroom with an authentic voting experience which includes a ballot that mirrors their local precinct ballot, according to Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford.

The program also offers teachers diverse interactive curriculum that meets Florida Sunshine State Standards, and has at its center an interactive website for all grade levels K-12 that includes activities and discussion topics for students, as well as a site specifically designed for students. The curriculum is civics-based, and geared toward encouraging young voter participation and deepening students’ knowledge of how democracy works in America. Materials are made available via the website to all teachers interested in utilizing the curriculum.

On Tuesday, many schools conducted mock elections throughout Escambia County. Students in Escambia County’s public middle and high schools had an opportunity to cast a secure, online ballot as part of the initiative. Students were issued a unique number to enter online to cast their ballot; to ensure that students vote only once, the number became invalid after it was used. Students’ ballots were specific to their district and they cast votes for U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative, Governor & Lt Governor, Attorney General and local races.

Escambia County’s Kids Voting “DoubleClick Democracy” is used at no cost in a partnership with several Florida counties, including the originator of the program, KidsVoting Tampa Bay, as well as the Escambia County school system.

Comments

Comments are closed.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News