With the upcoming voting season we students are learning each prop number and what entails with them in our power-up lessons. We are learning the importance of voting as well as the roles that go along with it. Young people have the potential to be a powerful force in elections, but only if they get involved and make voting a habit.

To encourage students to become active voters once they are old enough to cast a ballot, Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber and Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond invite high school and middle school students, teachers, and principals to participate in the 2022 California Student Mock Election, which will take place on October 11, 2022, for the General Election.

While many middle and high school students may not yet be able to vote officially, they can participate in mock elections. Many PTAs offer mock elections as a student program to teach students about the elections process, the electoral college, and upcoming ballot initiatives. After learning about the issues, students can vote with a simple ballot or using scantrons as real voters do.

The Student Mock Election will stir students’ interest in voting by tapping into the excitement of the campaign season. As students learn about the candidates and issues, they discover how government and politics affect every part of their lives. They gain firsthand knowledge of how citizens make their voices heard in our democracy and experience the power of their votes when they are joined by thousands of California students who will vote in the California Student Mock Election this year.  The 2022 California primary and U.S. general election are quickly approaching, and it is once again time to get students involved and excited about civic engagement.

The California Secretary of State and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction are partnering to host the 2022 California Student Mock Election on Tuesday, October 11, 2022. School registration for the 2022 California Student Mock Election opened on April 25, 2022. This important program helps young people discover the importance of elections and the power of their votes in the democratic process. Through your school’s involvement, students will discover how government and politics affect their daily lives. Once all the votes are counted, students will be able to compare their votes to those of their peers at schools from across the state.

In addition to the materials already listed, the 2022 California Student Mock Election web page contains a collection of standards-based lesson plans designed to engage students and share ideas that other schools have used as part of their California Student Mock Election activities.