Government Club is holding a mock presidential election

By Evie Fowler

Art by Hallie Anderson

This Tuesday, St. Mary’s high schoolers will receive a ballot in their inbox to vote in Gov. Club’s 2020 mock presidential election. 

Under normal circumstances, mock elections, run by the Tennessee Secretary of State and made to mimic the process of voting in Tennessee, are held in the library for state and presidential elections. Students bring their badges as I.D. and vote on tablets. 

In an effort to include all students' voices, those learning at school and learning remotely, the mock election will be through a Google Form this year. This will also teach students about different forms of voting than in-person, like mail-in voting, that are being used this year. The voting form will be sent out on Tuesday morning and close around 3:30 that afternoon. Tennessee “I voted” stickers will be given to those at school.

Students will have the option to vote for the electors of President Donald Trump or former Vice President Joe Biden, or they can write-in a third candidate.

Gov. Club sponsor and Upper School history teacher Dr. Lyon said, “Even participating in mock elections… you just get into that practice [of voting], and it’s really not just on the presidential level, but local level, state level… It’s just an important act that we should cherish, and I think developing that habit early will make us life-long voters.”

After the mock election, results will be sent out to the Upper School via email.