NMS Students Vote In Mock Presidential Election

Newtown Middle School conducted a mock presidential election on Monday, November 5, which simulated the national presidential election. The mock election included a popular vote component and an electoral vote component.

For the last month, Newtown Middle School classrooms were abuzz with students learning about different aspects of the country’s election process to prepare students for the mock election.

In social studies, math, and language arts classrooms students analyzed and evaluated the election process and the details of the Electoral College, examined the results of previous election results, predicted a winner digitally, and completed a variety of other election activities. Teachers noted students became “informed citizens” before casting their ballot.

For the Mock Election each homeroom was assigned a state. Homerooms cast their votes and sent the results to “Vote Central,” the NMS cafeteria. Students and teachers were waiting there to log results on a NMS Electoral College map. States were shaded in blue or red depending on the homeroom results. When all the results were posted on the Electoral College map, it was hung prominently in the cafeteria.

Students in the lunchroom gathered around to look at the results on the map during their lunch period.

Some of the swing states that are in play this year had tight races at the middle school. For example Mitt Romney took Florida, but by only two votes. In Pennsylvania Mr Romney beat Barack Obama by just one vote. Ohio went to Mr Obama.

As was the case in the national vote, the race was close.

The NMS winner was President Barack Obama. Mr Obama won both the popular vote (54 percent Obama, 46 percent Romney) and the Electoral College vote (299 Obama, 239 Romney).