October 31, 2008-Bismarck Tribune

Students could vote on president, U.S. representative, governor, insurance commissioner and Measure 1. About 2,500 students voted in grades three through 12.

The results: About 94 percent of students voted for either Sen. John McCain or Sen. Barack Obama. McCain lead the mock election by 55.2 percent to 38.9 percent for Obama.

In the House race, Rep. Earl Pomeroy took 61.8 percent of the student vote compared to 38.2 percent for Duane Sand.

In the governor’s race, students chose between Gov. John Hoeven and Sen. Tim Mathern. Hoeven received 85.8 percent of the student vote.

In the insurance commissioner’s race, they chose between Adam Hamm and Jasper Schneider. The vote went to Hamm with 62 percent compared to 38 percent for Schneider.

Students voted 62 percent for Measure 1 and 38 percent against it. The measure looks at the use of the oil tax fund.

Each school that participated received its results this week. Voting started Oct. 7 and lasted until Oct. 21.

The MREC sent teachers packets of information relevant to grade level to use for preparing students for the election. At the elementary schools, for instance, they received pictures of the candidates, but not as much on policies related to the candidates compared to the upper grades.

“I did talk to one of my teachers in Underwood,” Ekstrom said. “Over the course of three classes, she spent 15 minutes talking about one of the offices, what party they belong to and what that party stands for, and same for Measure 1.”

The mock election survey results broke down by school and by grade level. The president’s race was closest among the 12th grade. Also, one school chose Obama over McCain.

The MREC hopes to do a mock election again, Ekstrom said.

People 18 years and older can vote in the general election Tuesday.