SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. – Early voting numbers from the Secretary of State’s office show young people are voting at a lower rate than other age groups. Voters under 24 years old have returned roughly one-third of their ballots.
At East Valley High School (EVHS), a schoolwide project aims to increase young voter turnout in future elections. The social studies department believes education is key to making people confident and comfortable to cast their ballots. All students participate in a mock election to learn about the electoral process.
Lori Merkel a EVHS social studies teacher, emphasized the importance of understanding the presidential election by spearheading this project. Students not only cast ballots but work on campaigns and create election ads throughout the school.
“Their civic and civil discourse, they are doing it so much better than the adults in the room are,” Merkel said. “They get it. They are able to see what they can do once they are beyond the walls of East Valley High School.”
The goal of the mock election is not about swaying others to support your candidate – former President Donald Trump or current Vice President Kamala Harris – rather, it’s to research the candidates and become informed citizens.
