Bloomington students cast ballots in mock election

High school students at Kennedy and Jefferson had the opportunity to experience what it’s like to vote in a presidential election by casting ballots in a statewide mock election this week. More than 500 schools participated in the Students Voting program through the Minnesota Secretary of State Office. The goal is to boost civic engagement, help students become familiar with what a ballot looks like, and experience what it’s like to vote. 

Leading up to election day, students participated in lessons related to civic engagement, voting, elections and government. Students talked about the presidential election, political parties and candidates. 

During the mock elections, students filled out ballots in a private voting booth and placed them into a ballot box. The ballots resembled a real ballot Bloomington residents would fill out, with students voting for president, a U.S. senator, U.S. representative and Hennepin County Commissioner.

Some high school seniors who are already 18 years old say they are planning to vote for the very first time in the current election. For other students, it’s a valuable hands-on lesson for the future. The MN Secretary of State Office says young people who learn the mechanics of voting are more likely to vote the first time they are eligible.