In The News
Saints Peter and Paul High School Participates in UVA Mock Election
November 3, 2008, Easton, MD -- Students and teachers at Saints Peter and Paul High School conducted a mock election on Thursday, October 30th using a state-of-the art online voting system. The mock election program is sponsored by the Youth Leadership Initiative (YLI), a national civic education program based at the University of Virginia Center for Politics. With millions of students expected to vote nationwide during the two-week voting period from October 20-October 30, the YLI Mock Election is the largest secure, student-only online mock election in the nation. Seventh and eighth graders from Saints Peter and Paul Middle School also participated in the voting process.
Results posted on the University of Virginia’s website Friday indicated that John McCain won the popular vote for President at Saints Peter and Paul High School with about 71% of the vote and Andy Harris for Congress with 68%. National and State results in the mock election gave Barack Obama a decisive victory with 60% of the vote nationally and 76% of the vote in Maryland.
A national research study conducted by University of Virginia Center for Politics Director Larry J. Sabato and Chief of Staff Ken Stroupe found conclusively that students in classes where teachers used the YLI Mock Election and the related lesson plans reported a higher tendency towards future political participation. Indeed, in 2008 youth voter registration totals are reaching high-water marks in dozens of states across the country compared with recent election cycles. “As young people have become engaged in the political process through the classroom and community service, we are seeing those experiences translate to a heightened sense of interest and excitement in this year’s election,” added Sabato.
Social Studies teacher Steven Brohawn organized the election, and it was monitored by faculty members Chris Aiello, Social Studies/English; Sharon Christopher, Spanish; Karen Hill, Spanish; and Tim Linck, English.
