Video: Students Prepare To Vote With Mock Primary

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Columbus, Miss. (WCBI) — The Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science hosted a mock primary Monday, giving students the chance to get a feel for the voting process.

The mock primary was set up by the schools’ Young Independents, Young Republicans, and Young Democrats.

“We emphasize civic involvement, we want students to understand the importance of this process, that we are choosing the next leader of our country…”, said Young Independent Advisor and history teacher Julie Heintz, “…we looked at doing it today so that tomorrow, we can compare to see how M.S.M.S. compares to the state at large…”

Some of the juniors and seniors will be voting in a presidential election for the first time, and most told WCBI they’re excited to be a part of it.

While some are excited for the chance to cast a ballot, students hope the mock primary will show their peers how important it is to vote.

“I think everyone needs a voice when it comes to what’s going on in the country…”, said Young Independents President Shelbi Allen, “…you hear a lot of people complain about what’s going on but they don’t go vote, and I think we can change a lot of what’s going on…”

77 percent of students participated in the mock primary, and Allen said, “…it means the youth is getting more interested in voting and making a change for the country, which I’m excited about because that means what we’re doing is working.”

Here are the results from the M.S.M.S. mock primary:

Faculty Votes
Clinton: 7
Sanders: 1
Cruz: 3
Rubio: 4
Kasich: 6
Trump: 1

Student Votes:
Turnout– 77%

Clinton: 18
Sanders: 100
Cruz: 16
Rubio: 20
Kasich: 4
Trump: 18