Poplar Bluff High School hold’s mock general election

Poplar Bluff, Mo. (KBSI) – Poplar Bluff High School has continued its tradition of giving students a realistic voting experience. 

Students and staff were given the opportunity on Tuesday, October 29th to cast their votes on sample ballots designed to look like the sample ballot of Butler County for next week’s general election at “precincts” set up in the gym.

“We feel strongly about providing kids that comfortability while exposing them to the process, and I am appreciative of Dr. Valerie Ivy being so supportive of us making it as authentic as possible,” said social studies teacher Gail Rosmarin of her building principal. “We’re not here to sway voters, only to give them tools so they’re hopefully informed enough to critically choose between the candidates or the amendments.”

Beginning in 1996, Poplar Bluff High School hosted a mock presidential general election every four years so that each student would gain some exposure prior to graduation.

AP students were responsible for tallying votes by hand in Kimberly Clark’s classroom. The teacher said she felt it was important not to move to an electronic system so students can learn about some of the issues that come up such as ineligible handwriting or multiple boxes incorrectly being filled out.