MHS students participate in Mock Election and gain hands-on civic experience

Advocate Staff Report

  On October 11 and 13, Malden High School Social Studies students participated in a Mock Election based on the November 8 ballot. Students cast their votes during their History and Social Studies classes in either the library or the gallery. Teachers had been preparing the students to be as informed as possible in terms of candidates running for office and what questions are on the ballot. Questions 1 and 4 generated many rich conversations. In total 1,080 students voted.

  City Clerk Greg Lucey and Assistant City Clerk Carol Ann Desiderio provided voting machines and sample ballots so that the students could experience a “real” election and become more familiar with what to expect at the polls.

  “We find that these mock elections actually get kids talking about important issues and by having the experience, we believe they are more likely to vote in real elections when they are eligible,” said Malden High School Social Studies Teacher Kerry Veritas.

Malden High School Mock Election Results (with percentage of vote)

  Governor and Lt. Governor: Maura Healey and Kim Driscoll (72%).

  Attorney General: Andrea Campbell (78%).

  Secretary of State: William Francis Galvin (65%).

  Treasurer: Deborah Goldberg (71%).

  Auditor: Diana DiZoglio (60%).

  Representative in Congress: Katherine Clark (82%).

  State Senate, 5th Middlesex: Jason Lewis (76%).

Ballot Questions

  Question 1: Yes (75%).

  Question 2: Yes (78%).

  Question 3: Yes (56%).

  Question 4: Yes (79%).