First Election
The Clerk's First Election program allows students to conduct mock elections and use actual voting equipment to choose candidates.
You and your classmates will learn proper voting techniques and become familiar with polling place procedures. This will help prepare you before you head to the polls on Election Day.
By some day electing candidates to office, you will help shape national and foreign policies, as well as determine important issues where you live.
Instruction/Supplies
The Clerk's office instructs each school on how to administer the election and tally results and supplies actual voting equipment and election materials:
- Voting booths
- Ballot books
- Demonstrator ballot cards
- Ballot book holders with attached stylus
- How-to-vote guides
- Ballot box
- Tabulation sheet
- Election judge guidelines and procedures
- Election Day support
Candidates
Students cast demonstrator ballots for actual candidates vying for federal and statewide office weeks before Election Day.
Counting the votes
Each class tabulates and compiles an overall vote total for the school. The Clerk's office releases a countywide vote total when the ballots from each school are counted.
Curriculum
Each school or class can design its own First Election program. In more involved plans, students have conducted an entire "campaign season" that includes:
- Registering voters
- Researching candidates
- Producing and distributing campaign literature
- Holding debates
- Campaigning for candidates
- Designating election judges
- Getting-out-the-vote efforts
Student benefit
By learning how to vote and run elections, high school students - most of whom are not of voting age - get a firsthand look at democracy in action and gain practical experience of how the electoral process works.
Teacher benefit
The First Election program allows teachers to augment their academic curriculum by providing new opportunities for project assignments and lesson plans.
First Election Application
The Clerk's office must receive your application at least a month before the next election.
Interested?
For information about holding a mock election at your school, call (312) 603-1099.
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: (312) 603-6769