Mock elections

National Voter, Jan-Feb, 2003

Many state and local Leagues participated in the fall student mock elections sponsored by the National Student Parent Mock Election group and AOL.

The LWV of Wisconsin reports that more than 150,000 students from over 500 public, private, parochial and home schools registered to vote in the statewide mock election in October. The voter turnout was not as good, but those who participated were enthusiastic. (Beverly Speer, LWV WI)

The LWV of Illinois hosted an on-line site for the mock election for the first time. Participation was lower than previous years but it was the first year that curriculum and all materials were online. They plan to make the site available to teachers for the spring municipal elections. (Pat Eden, LWV IL)

The LWV of Delaware mock election rally was held in the legislative chambers at the state capitol in Dover on November 1, 2002. Student delegates, from over 15 school districts, demonstrated their empowerment through the voting process, a true validation of our mission. Commissioner of Elections Calio, Secretary of State Windsor, State Auditor Wagner, and Governor Minner joined student delegates in tallying their district votes. The district coordinators, under the guidance of Lewis Hoffman, Social Studies coordinator at the Delaware Department of Education, played a pivotal role in the success of the first fully electronic student mock election in Delaware. (Margaret R. Prouse, LWV DE)

The LWV of Massachusetts joined with the John F. Kennedy Library to support the mock election on November 1. All local League presidents were encouraged to support this program. League members participated by assisting in the classroom with curriculum, "voter" registration drives and mock-election day events. Voting results were collated by the Kennedy Library and reported directly to National Mock Election headquarters. (Debbie Winnick, LWV MA)