Republican Mitt Romney won the presidency over Democrat Barack Obama by a popular vote of 617 to 370 and an electoral vote of 419 to 119, according to Oxford Middle School’s Nov. 5 mock election.
As a way to get middle school students interested and involved in the election process, students spent the week prior to the election, studying the electoral college, learning where each presidential candidate stood on critical issues, as well as performing mock debates as representatives of each candidate.
‘I think overall I was really proud this was something the school was willing to do and take the time to let the kids know it even though they are young and not of voting age,? said Lauren Jasinski, seventh grade social studies teacher.
Maggie Hartman said she learned that not each vote is counted but that each state has a different number of electoral votes and that some have more than others.
‘We’ve learned that presidents go for states like California because they have bigger populations,? added Sydney Brzezinski. ‘It’s not about one vote, but how many votes the state has and the president has to get 270 (electoral) votes to win.?
Allison Bell said she learned there were more than two presidents running, but the other two weren’t on the ballot because they are most likely not to get picked.
How did they vote? A few were willing to share.
‘I voted for Barack Obama because I believe his thoughts on how we should run the country,? said Damien Helm. ‘The tax cuts for the middle class are what will make the country be better in the long run.?
Jacob Donavan said he voted for Mitt Romney because he felt Obama had let America down.
‘Obama told us he would have hope and change for us in the next four years and it hasn’t happened yet,? he said.
Clayton Hill was also upset because Obama broke some promises.
‘Obama promised to lower gas prices, but they have risen over the last four years,? Hill said. ‘He also passed the health Medicare law which forces us to purchase healthcare.?
Fellow student Shane Swab said Obamacare wasn’t helping out his family.
‘I think Romney’s healthcare is going to help us much more than Obamacare,? he said.
Jasinski said she was proud of what the students had learned and was glad to be getting them involved early instead of ‘the day they turn 18 and register to vote.?
‘I think it’s good for them to keep up with the current events (now), she said. ‘It’s very much affecting their lives everyday and affecting their family’s lives and it’s a good thing for them to know about.?