Lincoln students cast votes in mock election to learn about democracy

Lincoln Public Schools students participated in a mock election Wednesday to learn about democracy.

Students in grades 4-12 voted using a ballot similar to the ones adults will see next week, including presidential and senate races. More than 23,000 students participated throughout the day. Jaci Kellison, the LPS social studies curriculum specialist, said events like this encourage students to vote when they’re older.

“It's just exciting for them to see that excitement build over time,” Kellison said. “It'll increase the likelihood that they are going to vote and be a part of the democratic process when they graduate from high school.”

Kellison said in class, elementary students get an overview of what offices and issues are on the ballot and why those positions are important. Middle schoolers learn about informed voting, and high schoolers can enroll in specialized classes like civics and government.

“Students start learning about how our government works as early as kindergarten,” Kellison said. “They're learning about the three branches of government. They're learning about what the president does.”

At Sheridan Elementary, the school set up cubicles with computers for students to vote in as if they were at a real polling place. Students also designed their own voter ID to show before receiving their ballot.

Student election commissioners helped ensure peers knew voting was coming up by creating posters and making announcements in classes.

Oliver Kully was an election commissioner. He dressed like Uncle Sam in a red top hat, blue jacket and patriotic bowtie. Oliver said he was excited to cast his vote after watching his mom vote in past elections.

“It made me feel like I was a part of something,” he said.

Sheridan Elementary students voted on having a hat or pajama school spirit day in addition to the government races they learned about.