Mississippi’s kids could predict who wins and who loses in the upcoming November election. Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann is working with K-12 kids in Mississippi’s public schools to Promote the Vote.
The program includes a mock election where students will participate in voting for both U.S. Senate races and the U.S. House race pertinent to each school’s district. The election will be held between October 1-26, 2018.
A downloadable ballot will be available to participating schools on October 1st and Hosemann says the kids haven’t been wrong yet.
“Every time we have done this, and this has been going on since Secretary Clark started it, every time we have done this, the young people have picked the right person that got elected,” Hosemann said. “So, if we don’t have a better turnout, we may just go on and let the kids vote every time!”
During the most recent election, there was only a 13% turnout in the state which Hosemann says is unacceptable.
“We are hoping that by starting systemically, by getting the young people to ask their moms and dads, who are you voting for, why are you voting for them, so that it will create a dialogue and a better turnout,” Hosemann said.
Hosemann added that he hopes the mock election will bring about more civic engagement in the next generation of Mississippi voters.
“I say this to them, don’t let your mom and dad come home on election night, put their feet under the kitchen table without asking them have they gone and voted…” Hosemann said. “Have that dialogue, I think that’s so important both short-term for this election, but really it’s the future of the country and the ballot box.”
