Kids can participate in mock election

By Taylor Nichols

Elementary, middle and high school students in Washington can participate in a mock election between October 24 and election day this Tuesday, November 6.

According to a press release from secretary of state Kim Wyman, teachers and parents have the option of holding the election for students in kindergarten through 12th grade.

Both Blaine high school principal Scott Ellis and middle school principal Darren Benson said they didn’t know of plans to hold mock elections in classrooms this year. However, course materials are available for free online and include exercises on how the voting process works in Washington state and the impact of voter apathy for parents to use at home.

Mock ballots include the same initiatives and candidates that appear on the real ones. A kids’ ballot is provided with more simple and straightforward language describing the initiatives for youth.

The course called “teaching elections” meets state requirements for civics education, with lessons at elementary, middle and high school levels.

Learn more: bit.ly/2qjuQHs.