How to Run a Mock Election
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Want to get your children more interested and involved in the election process? Consider a mock election! Host it for your family, some friends, or perhaps your co-op. It is a great introduction into studying government, politics, U.S. history, and current events.
From voting on candy, to the real candidates, there are certainly endless possibilities to how you decide to run your own mock election. Our very own Coop Group is running a mock election this year, and we are voting to elect one of six Disney character candidates as president. We lay out all of our plans and materials for you in this blog post.
Step 1: Choose What You’re Voting On
Now you have to make your decision! You can vote on the real candidates, on Disney characters, cookies, or something even more simple for younger participants. You can have the children choose an office to run for and even create their own campaigns. Make it fun, engaging and exciting to make the most of this wonderfully educational experience.
Step 2: Register the Voters
You know, figure out who will participate! If you want to incorporate some learning of the electoral college into mock election, you can have voters select a state to register in - more on that below.
Step 3: Voter Information Pamphlet
The voters will need to know who or what they are voting for. Be sure to provide them with this information. See the one we made on Disney character candidates. If not a pamphlet, perhaps a poster would be an informative visual.
Step 4: Election Unit Study
There are so many amazing resources to use to use to cover the topic of elections. Draw from your own curriculum, or use some supplemental resources:
What is a Presidential Election - ages 6-12
ABC What an Informed Voter You Will Be - ages 3-10
The Night Before Election Day - ages 3-10
USA.gov Presidential Election Process - including their awesome Infographic
A Unit Study by Homeschool in the Woods - ages 8-14
Sonlight free Elections Unit - ages 8-12+
Step 5: Popular Vote
Now it’s time to decide how you want the popular vote to take place. There are many option to consider, choose the one that suits you and your group best.
Online Voting/Polling:
Mail-In Ballots
Ballot Drop-Off
Live Polling Event
For ballot drop-offs and live polling events, create a ballot drop box and a polling booth! You can stop at the popular vote and select the winner based on just that; in which case, skip ahead to step 7. If you plan to use your election as an opportunity to explain the electoral college, go on to step 6.
Step 6: Electoral College
What better way to teach about the slightly confusing concept of the electoral college than by a real, hands on learning experience? One option is to let each voter register for a state. They can then see how the popular vote within each state plays such an important role in the elector college and therefore the results of the election.
Instead of a state, they could select from a smaller list of locations or club to register under to draw a parallel to the way the electoral college works. Get creative!
Step 7: Election
Here’s the fun part! Have the voters mail-in their ballots, vote online, drop-off at a “voting” location, or host a live polling place and make it a party. Go all out and create voting booths and make the experience as memorable as possible. Be sure to hand out “I Voted” stickers to all participants!
Step 8: Results
The voters will be anxiously awaiting the results of the election! Be sure to create a fun delivery of this information. It can be all virtual over zoom (seriously 2020, what the heck?!), through a recorded video, or most fun of all - LIVE!
Happy Mock Election!
What fun election activities do you have planned?
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