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Ransom Middle Students Hold Mock Election
November 7, 2015
Seventh grade students at Ransom Middle school had a real-world lesson on voting Friday, using real-world voting equipment, and voted on their choice for the next president.
Ransom Civics teacher Lauren Samoszenko teamed up with David Stafford and the staff of the Supervisor of Elections Office to create a real election experience for her students. They voted using real ballots and voting machines.
For simplicity, four candidates were listed on the ballot — the top two polling Republicans top two Democrats at the time the ballots were printed. Students voted for Ben Carson for president almost two to one over the other three candidates. Results were as follows:
- Ben Carson 186
- Donald Trump 94
- Hillary Clinton 59
- Bernie Sanders 41
- Write-in 2
Students also voted on a proposed constitutional amendment regarding voter registration. If passed, the amendment would restore the voting rights of Floridians with felony convictions after they complete all terms of their sentence, including parole or probation. Those convicted of murder or severe offenses would not have their voting rights restore. Ransom students voted to approve the amendment, 244-140.
In a local “school question”, 362 students indicated that they have internet access at home while 22 indicated that they do not.
“We chose this question because we are moving toward becoming a one-to-one technology district,” explained Samoszenko. “Here at Ransom Middle, we aren’t one-to-one yet, but we want to know what we’re getting into when we finally get there.”
David Stafford, Escambia County’s Supervisor of Elections, was on site and worked with the students. “The process is very similar to what their parents and teachers will experience next year when they go to the polls to vote for the presidential election. They’re checking in, they’re getting a paper ballot, they’re taking it to a voting booth and getting it tabulated on literally the same voting equipment that will be used during the next presidential election.”
“We’ve found that the earlier we get students involved and get them used to the process, the more likely they are to participate when they reach voting age, added Stafford.
Photos by Kim Stefansson and Brandy Ziglar for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Comments
3 Responses to “Ransom Middle Students Hold Mock Election”
I am very impressed with these kids- they must be paying good attention to current events…now, if they can just keep focused, continue to stay involved with political happenings and not be intellectually tainted by far-left, liberal professors- our country will be in much better shape!
Stafford did and does a good job.
This makes me so proud! Not only as a Ransom Alumnus myself, but also because these kids voted for the RIGHT candidate- Carson 2016! God bless you, Ransom Middle School.