Mock Election

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Planning Your Mock Election
• Mission
• Pick a Date
• Candidates
• Issues
• Cost
• Voting
• Voter Registration
• Program History
• Benefits of Participation
• Consider

Introduction

The Jefferson County Clerk's Office mock elections are designed to help students understand the importance of voting and the role it plays in our society. We provide the equipment, ballots, and facilitators to conduct a mock election at your school or community program.

Planning Your Mock Election

We are here to help you organize your school's Election Day. Whether it's one class, an entire grade, or the whole school voting, we can provide tips and ideas for a successful election for your students. Call 574.0047, the Communications, Media & Public Relations Division of JCCO.

Pick a Date

As early as possible, decide on the best time to hold your election. Are you filling positions on the Student Council for this school year or electing class officers for the next? Will the entire school participate, or just certain classes? We schedule mock elections year-round, so whether you need to conduct your election in early fall, late spring, or any time between, we're here to help you achieve your goal. All candidate names, schedules, and final confirmations must be submitted two weeks before the election.Please note that we cannot provide election equipment 30 days before or after an official election in Jefferson County. Keep this in mind while planning your event!

Candidates

Club officers, class officers, student councils, homecomingcourts, and more can participate in the election process.

Campaigning—meetingvoters and requesting their support—is an essential component of running for office. School media classes can contribute graphics, radio, and TV technology for a richer experience.

Encourage your candidates to deliver campaign speeches to the voters. Incorporate lessons in history, government, speech writing, and more for an educational project your students will remember for years to come.

If you don't have student elections lined up, we can create a ballot featuringlocal, state, and federal candidates currently running for office.

Deputy Clerk will visit your classroom to explain the voting process, demonstrate how to cast a ballot, and hold a brief Q&A session. Our facilitators are employees of the Jefferson County Clerk's Office, which oversees the Election Center for official elections. Our aim is to make the election informative, enjoyable, and as close to the real votingexperience as possible. The entire process for each class takes about 45 minutes to an hour.

Issues

Many schools like to empower their students by allowingthem to vote on various issues. Topics can range from school uniforms to lunch options and programs. If a current event or legislative issue is in the news, you can allow your students to debate it and then vote on it. We can include up to five questions on the ballots for your students to address.

Cost

The Jefferson County Clerk's Office, and the Board of Elections offer this program as a community service. There is no charge for this service.

Voting

Ballots will be printed based on the list of candidates and questions you provide. Official voting equipment will be delivered and set up at your school. Students will then go to the "polls," mark their ballots and cast them using the actual DS200 voting equipment used by registered voters in real elections. Student volunteer poll workers will assist in processing the results and reporting them to the class or school.

Voter Registration

If you have students who will be 18 by General Election Day, we'll bring the voter registration cards! The contact teacher is responsible for coordinating the election with other participating teachers, providing an accurate list of candidates and/or issues to be voted on, and supplying the facilitator with a class schedule for the participating classes.

Program History

Since 2000, mock elections have been offered to public, private, and parochial schools in Jefferson ounty. This program is part of our commitment to fulfillingthe Help America Vote Act (HAVA 2002)./p>

Benefits of Participation

• Mock elections educate our youth about the importance of registering to vote, participating in elections, and engaging in the democratic process.
• They encourage discussions between students and the adults in their families.
• Students learn how to fill out and cast a ballot in Jefferson County.

Consider

1. Teaching our young citizens the significance of voting through a hands-on opportunity to cast a ballot for their peers as class officers, student council members, or on issues that matter to them in their school.
2. What better way to experience the democratic process?
3. The experience educates them about voting and instills a sense of civic responsibility and empowerment. Teachers and volunteers guide the students through each step, ensuring they understand how to make informed decisions and the importance of their participation in shaping the future. The excitement of voting on authentic equipment helps demystify the process, making it more accessible and less intimidating.
4. By simulatingthe democratic process, the Mock Election Program aims to cultivate lifelong voters who are engaged, informed, and ready to contribute positively to their communities. This hands-on approach to learning has been praised for its effectiveness in preparing young citizens to take an active role in democracy, ensuring that the voices of future generations are heard and valued.