Students in grades K-12 are invited to vote in the Washington State Mock Election, sponsored by the Office of Secretary of State.

The Mock Election, which began Monday and ends Friday, is a valuable educational experience designed to establish good voting habits.

“I commend this excellent, free program and urge teachers to use the Mock Election to foster a sense of civic engagement in our youth,” said Secretary of State Sam Reed. “My hope is that students will graduate with the skills to fully participate in our communities, and have the passion to do so.”

Participation in the Mock Election is fast, easy and free. No preregistration is necessary. Students vote for the same statewide candidates and measures adults see on their ballots (K-4 students are given more age-appropriate measures). Students can read about the 2010 measures using the Online Voters’ Guide.

Online voting for the Mock Election ends 1 p.m. Friday. Results will be posted within 30 minutes of the end of online voting.

Also, teachers may request free “I Voted” stickers for their students or download Teaching Elections in Washington State, a free curriculum resource written by Washington civics teachers.

Teaching Elections may be used to complete required civics CBAs (Classroom Based Assessments), and complies with both state standards and the common core standards that the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction has tentatively adopted.

For more information, e-mail Lindsay Pryor at Just4You@sos.wa.gov or call 1-800-448-4881.

Also, check out these short video clips about the Mock Election:

• How It Works (45 seconds): www.sos.wa.gov/elections/mock/video/HowItWorks.aspx

• In the Classroom (35 seconds): www.sos.wa.gov/elections/mock/video/InTheClassroom.aspx

• What It Takes (35 seconds): www.sos.wa.gov/elections/mock/video/WhatItTakes.aspx

• What Students Think (35 seconds): www.sos.wa.gov/elections/mock/video/WhatStudentsThink.aspx