The Constitution Team hosted the Mock Presidential Election in the MPR on Nov. 5. The event aimed to help students understand and engage in the United States presidential election.
“I believe that all students could take away at least one positive aspect because this was an experience they would not have had until they turned 18,” said Constitution Team adviser Ms. Megan Leahy. “This was the first time the Social Science Department took on this challenge, but the record voter turnout and seeing students experience voting made it worth all the preparation and work. Unlike the national election, AHS students voted in favor of Vice President Kamala Harris.”
The team members arrived early at 7:45 a.m. to start the preparations. They began organizing and decorating the MPR for the election. There were 15 voting booths throughout the MPR, and the tables were organized by last name. As “poll workers,” the team members weren’t allowed to wear any partisan clothing or accessories and had to ensure that each vote was anonymous.
There was pre-registration, which was a Google form that students could fill out before the election to approximate how many kids would be participating in the election. Students who filled out the form were instructed to find the table that contained their last name. If students did not fill out the form, there was also a same-day registration table that was covered in a blue cloth. After voting, students received an “I Voted” sticker.
“I think students––no matter the grade level––learned how voting gives a person the power to express their views and beliefs,” said senior Sophie Choi. “Voting is between you and the ballot; no one can suppress what you believe in while you’re in the booth.”
Constitution Team member senior Yong-Lin Hu shared her thoughts on the mock election.
“I believe that the mock election served as a great opportunity for students to be more familiar with the democratic process and engage in their civic duty, starting from registration, to answering the ballot,” said Hu. “I hope that through the mock election, students will understand how integral, yet easy voting is.”
Starting from registration to answering the ballot—which consisted of more than just the main presidential candidates but also state propositions—the mock election allowed students to get hands-on experience in the voting process and learn more about how elections take place in the real world.
Photo Courtesy of JENNY LIAO
