Underage Voters Double Previous "Mock Election" Turnout

If “voter” turnout in last week’s Student Mock Election is any indication, this week’s General Election should have an overwhelming number of Washingtonians voting.

The Mock Election, which ended early Friday afternoon after starting Monday, saw a record-shattering total of 38,848 students take part. That’s more than double the old record of about 18,000, set in 2008.

“I’m really impressed with the huge increase in the number of students voting in this year’s Mock Election!” said Secretary of State Sam Reed. “A big thank you to the teachers and students in our state for their participation in this year’s Mock Election. It’s important to promote civic engagement and informed future voters in our state, and the Mock Election is a great way to do that.”

Out of this year’s student participation total, 29,144 were in grades 6-12 and 9,704 were from grades K-5.

This News is a service of:
       

The Mock Election saw the Democratic presidential ticket of Barack Obama and Joe Biden preferred over the Republican duo of Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan, 69 percent to 31 percent.

In the race for Governor, about 57 percent of students picked Democrat Jay Inslee, to 43 percent for Republican Rob McKenna.

Students narrowly favored Initiative 1240, as 51 percent to 49 percent in favor of the charter schools measure.

I-502, the measure to legalize marijuana for adults, was barely rejected by students, as nearly 51 percent said no while about 49 percent voted for it. Students overwhelmingly approved Referendum 74 (legalizing same-sex marriage), with 67 percent voting in favor.

Students in grades 6-12 voted with a longer ballot that featured races for President and Governor, as well as I-1240, I-502 and R-74. Students in grades K-5 voted on President, Governor and I-1240.

Go here to view this year’s Mock Election results, which can be broken down by county, city or school.

This is the ninth year that the Office of Secretary of State has conducted the Mock Election.