‘15 Mock Election: Students "pass" I-1366, I-1401
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Students at Chief Kitsap Academy in Poulsbo play "Elections Jeopardy" and discuss making informed voting choices. (Photo courtesy of Lindsay Pryor)
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 51.5 percent voted “yes.” A larger majority (76 percent) gave a thumbs-up to I-1401 (trafficking of endangered animals). UPDATE: Original vote totals for I-1366 and I-1401 were inaccurate due to a technical problem. The updated numbers: 51.93 percent voted "yes" on I-1366 and 75.3 percent voted "yes" on I-1401. 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.(html)
Secretary of State
Steve Hobbs
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