Mock Election Gives Lynbrook Students an Inside Look at Election Process

By Rosemary Leonetti, Syntax

Thanks to their mock election, fifth-graders in Jenny Winn’s class at West End School in Lynbrook experienced democracy in action. 

Students began by studying the electoral process, the history of U.S. political parties and the role of political campaigning over the years. With their historical knowledge in hand, they set out to stage their own mock election.

Two candidates, Tierney O’Brien and Maeve Mooney, organized separate campaigns to run for the position of vice principal of West End School. The candidates had a team of campaign managers, press secretaries, speechwriters, treasurers and media advisers assisting them. As they formed their platforms and delivered their election messages through campaign commercials, flyers and speaking engagements, the candidates did their best to influence voters in a bid for this coveted position.

 On Mock Election Day, West End students and parents were invited to hear each candidate speak and participate in the election. After registering with the West End Board of Elections, the voters placed their ballots in the ballot box in an effort to let their voices be heard. 

In the end, everyone was a winner, as each participant walked away with a newfound appreciation for the importance of the election process in a democracy.