Students at Leo A. Palmiter Jr./Sr. High School and Elinor Lincoln Hickey Jr./Sr. High School exercised their civic duty by participating in the 2024 California Student Mock Election on Tuesday. The students had the opportunity to experience the democratic process firsthand and learned the power of informed voting.
Open to middle and high schools throughout California, the mock election mirrors the real-life election experience. Students cast their votes for U.S. President and Vice President, a U.S. Senate seat, and 10 statewide ballot measures, all of which will appear on the November 5, 2024, General Election ballot.
Understanding the importance of being informed voters, students began preparing for the Mock Election two weeks ago, researching the candidates and the 10 propositions on the ballot. The research not only helped them learn about the political process, it deepened their understanding of the impact these decisions can have on their community and beyond.
“Students were very interested in the propositions,” said Palmiter Principal Lauren Roth. “They had a lot of questions, and the discussions were robust and meaningful. It was clear they wanted to understand the issues and how they could influence their lives.”
Palmiter Student Council members took on additional responsibilities, acting as hosts at the polling place. They distributed the mock election ballots, ensured voting procedures were followed, and handed out “I Voted” stickers—small tokens that symbolize a much larger democratic tradition. Their roles gave them insight into the significance of civic engagement and leadership.
Coordinated by the California Secretary of State and the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Mock Election helps students discover the importance of elections and the power of their votes in the democratic process. California Student Mock Election results will be announced on Friday, October 11.