Since 1789, U.S citizens have been voting presidents, representatives, and laws that impact the next four years.
To have students experience what it’s like to vote, Venice students who are sixteen and over participated in a California-sponsored mock election on campus Tuesday, October 8. They casted mock votes for potential laws and candidates for the state of California.
All Venice social studies and history teachers were invited to sign their classes up and participate. The mock election was hosted in the cafeteria, where students stood in lines to emulate an actual election.
Social studies teacher Leah DiVencenzo said Venice got paper ballots from the state of California. Once Venice’s results are submitted to the state of California, we will be able to see results from all over the state.
“It’s really just meant to simulate what it’s like in the real world,” DiVencenzo said.
Propositions were voted on such as Proposition 32 that raises minimum wage or Proposition 5 that allows local bonds for affordable housing.
Students working on the mock election will be there to help share information to participants on the different propositions that they will be voting for.
WLGS student council member, junior Penelope Smith worked at the mock election polls. “The voting drive encourages civic engagement in highschoolers and makes sure people start voting young so they keep that habit,” she said.
This mock election is a big deal for newly 18 year olds this year because they are now able to vote in november.
Many students had varying opinions on if the mock elections felt helpful to them being able to legitimately vote.
Senior Julian Davey said “I feel like my vote doesn’t matter that much but it could be a learning experience for other 18 year olds.”
Senior Antonio Reyes felt that the actual process, wording, and structure can be confusing.
“They gave you a description of what it was about but it was confusing because of the wording,” he said.
