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=> MOCK ELECTION INFORMATION <=

MOCK ELECTION PROCESS AND ACTIVITIES

How do I run a mock election?
This is up to you. Make it as simple or as sophisticated as you like. Some teachers hold the election in their classrooms for just one class, others have the entire school participate. Some try to emulate an adult’s voting experience by having voter registration and setting up polling places. Some classes may hold mock debates. Sometimes additional activities are encouraged, such as, "get out the vote" activities, working on the campaign of a candidate of the student’s choice, or for older students, actually working at a polling place on election day.
Here are some activities Athens County teachers have suggested:

divide classes into wards and districts
divide classes into "poll groups" and "campaign groups"
have parents (or students) role-play presidential or local candidates in a debate for the class
have students "be candidates", give speeches to the student body, making sure they follow campaign regulations
make voting mandatory OR students must register and make time to vote on their own accord mimicking actual voting experience
study propaganda techniques by looking at magazine covers and clippings to discover biases in the news
mock election could coincide with student council elections
students can run for office (judge, senator, president, etc), campaign then "pass a bill" to experience the process
give extra credit to students who put time in working for local campaigns, parties.
(ELEMENTARY AGE ESPECIALLY) collecting pledges to vote from family and friends, then reminding them the night before election day

Use the resource list on the web site to find out about possible activities.

WHEN DO I HOLD THE ELECTION?
Whenever you want up to and including election day, November 4.

BALLOTS
In early October, we will post sample ballots on our web site:
http://www.seorf.ohio.edu/~voters (click on Future Voters Mock Election)
If you would prefer to have a different ballot from what we provide, you can electronically cut and paste, to tailor the ballots to your needs. Any additional ballot information, for example, the congressional district in which an address is located, can be obtained from the Board of Elections.

COUNT THE VOTES AND RECORD THE TALLIES
As with any election, votes must be counted. We will also post a tally sheet on the web site. Please download the tally sheet, count all of your votes, and record the results on the tally sheet. Then before 7pm on Election Day let us know the results by faxing the tally sheet (696-1249) or e-mailing your results to (athensleagueofwomenvoters@gmail.com). Please be sure to include the class(es) and school for which the votes are tallied with the results.

MINI-GRANTS MAY BE OBTAINED
Once again this year, we have a small amount of money available to help teachers pay for some expenses they might incur running a Mock Election. If you would like to receive a mini-grant, e-mail us at athensleagueofwomenvoters@gmail.com or fax us at 740-696-1249. In your message include, your name and contact information, your school and grade level, the amount of money needed, and a very brief (one or two sentence) description of how you will use the money.