Students raise voices in mock election

Although many are under the legal voting age, students in the Orange County School district can still put forth their political opinions on the election this year.

Students in the International Baccalaureate program at Cedar Ridge High School have developed a mock election designed to inform students about candidates and the election process.

The mock election will be available to all 11 schools in the county. Students in each grade level can participate in the elections.

The program includes presentations by IB students and the chance to cast a mock vote on the Internet.

The ballot offers choices for president, state governor, state lieutenant governor, U.S. senator and U.S. representative.

"It's a great learning opportunity for the students," said Ryan Miller, the district's instructional technology coordinator.

"It's good to get them thinking about the democratic process and the country we live in."

Students in the IB program are required to complete 150 hours of a service learning program called Creativity, Action and Service.

The mock elections will help fulfill hours for the creativity aspect of the requirement, said Heather Mandelkehr, a junior IB student.

The IB students will go to classrooms around the county next week to present information about the elections and candidates, said Abi Whitling, a junior IB student.

The presentations will be nonpartisan.

After the presentations, she said students can vote online for candidates of their choice at http://research.zarca.com/clients/Orange/survey.aspx?sid=11.

When students log in to vote, they will be sent to different pages, depending on the grade level they choose, Miller said.

The site first prompts students to choose their school from a list. Students are then asked to pick their grade level, age, gender and history teacher before they vote.

The results of the elections will be posted on the Web site.

After the mock election ends next week, the site will include a database that sorts the results into categories such as grade level, said Rachael Benedict, a junior in the IB program.

So far, the program has had a lot of feedback from elementary schools, Benedict said.

Ashley Summers, a junior in the IB program, said it is important to get students involved.

"I think that with this election, so many young people are getting involved," Summers said.

She added that the program teaches kids that they do not have to be influenced by their parents' political views.

The program hopes to clear up misconceptions among younger students, Mandelkehr said.

"I think it is important that kids learn that if they say something, they can make a difference," she said. "If we start this now, they can see how if they make a decision, it can be implemented."

Contact the City Editor at CITYDESK@UNC.EDU.