PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — They may not be old enough to vote yet, but students in Pasco County are getting a chance to see what it feels like to head to polls on Election Day.
- District holding county-wide mock elections
- Classrooms will be set up like polling places
- More Pasco County stories
The school district is holding mock elections across the county. Students at Charles Rush Middle School in Land ‘O Lakes were given time to research candidates on Monday.
After all, they get the campaign ads, too.
“We see it in our own lives on Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube especially," said seventh grader Ryan Harris. "They’re playing the ads, so it’s always on your mind."
Now those students have their own choice to make, getting a chance to vote in a mock election at school.
“We get to practice it now,” said 7th grader Chloe Bass. “When we get older, and vote for our own government, we will know what to do and make the right decision.”
Classrooms across Pasco will be set up just like a real polling place. Teachers want to keep it as close to the real thing as possible, so students have an authentic experience.
“I think they need to understand voting because they are the future of this country,” said teacher Gerilyn Laney.
What makes these mock elections unique is that the school system is working with the Pasco County Supervisor of Elections, so students can log online to see results, just like real voters can.
“We’re going to have a separate banner on our website that will say student mock election,” said Pasco County SOE Brain Corley. “So it’s will be really fascinating to see how the students results will mirror or not mirror the results of these contests.”
The hope is by getting involved now, students will take that with them the rest of their lives.
“I think it’s really interesting, preparing us so when we turn 18, we can actually vote in elections that affect our lives,” Harris said.