PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Students at Philadelphia’s Alain Locke Elementary School got a chance to cast their ballots the day before Election Day, in a mock vote at Community College of Philadelphia.
Sixth, seventh and eighth graders registered for the “vote” and even made campaign posters before casting their ballots on iPads in a mock election.
Stephanie Austin-Johnson, CCP’s manager of pre-college STEM programs, says the aim is to teach children how democracy works.
“We really wanted them to experience all of the different aspects of what an election year means – from registering to vote, voting, the campaign portion, which is why they’re making the posters – just to make them aware of the possibilities of change, even at their age in their communities,” Austin-Johnson told KYW Newsradio.
“We’re hoping that they can compare their experiences with experiences that they have with the adults in their households.”
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The 75 Locke students didn’t vote for actual candidates, but they made their voices heard on ballot questions including whether they agree with the city’s 10 p.m. curfew and whether the U.S. voting age should be lowered.
“I think we should be able to vote at, like 16,” said seventh grader Nyeerah Wise, 13.
“I just think that we should be able to vote at 16 or something so we can get used to it,” she said.
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Her peers, though, didn’t agree. 63% of voters in this mock election said the voting age should remain at 18. 79%t of the student voters said they agreed with Philadelphia’s curfew.
Locke sixth-grade social studies teacher Charles Williams said the exercise was an opportunity for students to learn how elections reflect the will of the public.
“I try to teach my kids, a lot of people sacrificed their lives just so they can vote,” he said. “Each vote does count.”