Hana Wanas contributed to this article.
During the month of November, students make their way down to the gallery to participate in Malden High School’s mock elections. Whether it is voting for a ballot or choosing a presidential candidate, it simulates the grand event of voting at an election booth. However, it requires students to miss valuable class time to attend these events, which leads to a major question: what can you get out of these mock elections?
Mock elections have occurred for many years. Kurtis Scheer, the teacher leader of the social studies department, has run this year’s mock election and many others before it. Students in history classes are allowed to volunteer, hand out and count ballots, or assist those in voting—similar to a real election.
“There’s no official state law or anything around having to do mock elections. It’s just an experience that we think is beneficial for students,” clarified Gerard Tannetta, the director of the social studies department. Tannetta believes mock elections genuinely allow students to earn and benefit from these experiences.
Tannetta continued, “We still think that it’s valuable for students to go and see what the ballot looks like and experience the check-in and check-out.”
Scheer reciprocated similar feelings to Tannetta, saying it allows students to experience an influential part of their lives. “I think seeing that and having these conversations before they actually go to vote makes them a better and more informed voter, and we vote for things that will benefit them and the community in greater numbers.”
Scheer continued, stating that this pre-voting experience clears the stigma behind voting. Allowing students to know what is on the voting sheets eases the tension of the hardships of voting, getting rid of unnecessary anticipation.
“There’s a lot of this stuff, even if you can’t vote on it, at some point it will affect everyone,” history teacher Patrick Finnegan stated. Other than familiarity, it teaches students their vote can have a tremendous effect, whether\ direct or indirect.
Ballot questions can be guaranteed to affect a large demographic in one way or another. From eliminating MCAS graduation requirements to Uber/Lyft unions, or tipping at restaurants, either way, these yes-or-no questions can have a wide impact on all citizens in Massachusetts.
This year, there were five ballot questions in total:
Question 1: State Auditor’s Authority to Audit the Legislature
Question 2: Elimination of MCAS as High School Graduation Requirement
Question 3: Unionization for Transportation Network Drivers
Question 4: Limited Legalization and Regulation of Certain Natural Psychedelic Substances
Question 5: Minimum Wage for Tipped Workers.
As seniors and juniors begin to turn 18, they can start to enter the field of politics, allowing them to express their opinions and concerns over a large variety of topics. The mock elections can specifically assist each person in various ways, but many respond in agreement with one another.
“It improved my understanding of ballot questions. It also made me aware of the formatting and phrasing of ballots, which is really helpful,” explained senior voter Natalie Keating. The annual event emphasizes the importance of exposing students to a basic form of the elections. Keating continued, “As a first-time voter this past November, I felt confident because I was sufficiently prepared to understand what was in front of me.”
Senior Ashley Benfield shared similar feelings: “Since I voted for the first time this year, I knew what everything would look like on paper physically, so I wasn’t confused going in. It prepared me to be more thoughtful in my opinions and understand what I’m really voting for.”
These model elections define themselves as more than just a practice. It has since marked a significant turning point for many seniors. Now that they are at the legal voting age, these experiences have become especially important and beneficial in helping them prepare for a more serious, government-run election.
Scheer concluded, “I especially think this Mock Election is going to help all students and seniors who will be voting in this election.”
