While adult voters have until next Tuesday to fill out and return their general election ballots, about 10,000 of Washington’s K-12 students had their own taste of voting this week when they took part in the annual Mock Election, the state’s largest civic education program.
Students narrowly approved Initiative 1366 (restricting tax increases), as 51.93 percent voted “yes.” A larger majority (75.3 percent) gave a thumbs-up to I-1401 (trafficking of endangered animals).
This year’s Mock Election attracted 9,959 voters.
“The Mock Election is an excellent way to introduce students to voting and why it’s important,” Secretary of State Kim Wyman said. “I hope this taste of what voting is like will result in a lifetime of civic involvement once they become adults.”
The Mock Election, held online, began Monday morning and ended early Friday afternoon. The annual civics program for Washington students has been conducted by the Office of Secretary of State’s Elections Division since 2004.
Go here to view the Mock Election results, which can be broken down by county, city or school.