Staff Writer
CARIBOU, Maine — Casting their mock ballots on yesterday, Caribou High School students fictitiously elected incumbent Presidential candidate Barack Obama four more years in the White House.With most students too young to cast an official ballot, Social Studies teacher Steve Burden and student coordinator Grahm Freme, a senior, orchestrated the chance for Caribou High School students to have their voices heard in a statewide (and nationwide) Student Mock Election; Caribou was one of 150 schools to participate in the informal election process.
“It helps students understand the process, and it encourages them to participate in an actual election” Burden explained.
A total of 390 votes were cast, but not every ballot was in favor of a major candidate.
President Obama won the student vote with 201 ballots in his favor; Governor Mitt Romney followed with 166 votes.
In the race for the senate, Secretary of State Charlie Summers won the election with 156 votes. Former Governor Angus King placed second with 128 votes and Cynthia Dill received 71 votes.
With 100 votes over his opponent, Congressman Mike Michaud was re-elected with 218 ballots in his favor. Candidate Kevin Raye received 118 votes.
Voting on the referendum questions, students voted “yes” on Question One, “An Act To Allow Marriage Licenses for Same-sex Couples and Protect Religious Freedom.” There were 230 votes of “yes,” with 155 vote of “no.”
The students also passed each of the four bond issues on the referendum ballot.
Though it will be another four years before a mock presidential election can take place, Burden feels that participation in another informal vote is likely to occur.
“There was quite a bit of enthusiasm, especially given the results,” he said.
The results from Caribou’s mock election will be shared with other schools to be part of the Statewide Mock Election — which will be tabulated in the nationwide pole to find out who highschoolers would like to see in office.
