MONTGOMERY – On October 25, 2016, the Office of the Alabama Secretary of State, along
with the Alabama State Department of Education, the American Village and
Alabama Independent School Association, will host an “Alabama Votes” Student
Mock Election for student’s grades fourth through 12th in the state
of Alabama.
“One of the most fundamental rights we as
Americans are afforded is our right to vote,” said Secretary Merrill. “Our
students in the state of Alabama have the opportunity to be a powerful voice in
the electoral process, and we must do everything we can to educate them on the
importance of their right to vote. The ‘Alabama Votes’ Student Mock Election will
generate awareness and introduce to Alabama’s student population the concept of
elections before the voting age. This opportunity allows students to have an
understanding of the electoral process by conducting a mock election for
Alabama’s November 2016 General Election. Teachers shape the lives and
foundation of every student in our state, and it is our hope that you utilize
this resource in your classrooms.”
Ballots will be distributed to all
1, 500 schools in the state through the Alabama State Department of Education,
various homeschool networks and the Alabama Independent School Association.
Local schools will collect their data and forward it to the Central Office.
From there, the Central Office will report results to the Office of the
Secretary of State.
“The ‘Alabama Votes’ Mock Election
is a great way to generate interest and spur excitement among Alabama’s student
population about civic responsibility, democratic principles, and the upcoming
presidential election. This opportunity gives students a platform to discuss
their individual viewpoints on everything from social and domestic issues to
foreign policy and economics,” said Alabama’s State Superintendent of Education
Dr. Tommy Bice.
“The Mock Election will focus
squarely on getting young people engaged in the voting process as they simulate
voting for a real-life presidential candidate. I strongly encourage school
leaders to promote and participate in this opportunity. For students, I hope
that they will get involved now and continue their interest and engagement as
they become voting-aged citizens.”
A Student Mock Election Convention
at the American Village will be held on July 12, 13 or 14. Students in grades
9, 10, 11 or 12 as of the fall 2016 school year in public, private, parochial
or home schools may participate. Students and teachers will leave with ideas
and materials to carry back to their schools on how to hold a successful
convention and mock election. April 22, 2016 is the last day to register for
the Student Mock Election Convention. You can find a link to the registration
page on the American Village website, StudentMockElectionConvention.
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