Burlingame High's mock election puts Obama in the White House (Topix)
As the presidential election draws closer, students of Burlingame High School exercised their political voice and cast their vote last Thursday in a statewide mock general election. Over their lunch period, more than 300 students gathered at the polling tables and received a ballot after showing their student ID to vote in the youth-only election.
The election was part of the MyVote California Student Mock Election, a statewide endeavor sponsored by California Secretary of State Debra Bowen and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell to encourage civic duty and bolster political awareness. With young Californians of over 900 other schools, students selected a president and voted on the California propositions.
It's really important for us as students to get involved,? said junior Angela Zink, student manager of the Associated Student Body. Zink coordinated with MyVote to bring the election to Burlingame High School.
Although the votes will not count in the Nov. 4 general election, the youth sent a clear message they want Barack Obama.
In both BHS and statewide tallies, three of every four students placed their vote for Obama. Many students were enthusiastic to vote for the Democratic candidate, even though they will not be eligible to vote in the actual election.
Barack Obama has a vision for the future,? said senior Adam Klein, a regional director for Sen. Barack Obama's youth campaign. As a regional director, Klein recruits other young adults to canvass and phone bank for Obama. The students are rallying behind his fresh ideas.?
Although part of the minority, a number of students proudly voted for the Sen. John McCain. Senior James Bernardini, a volunteer for McCain's campaign, is a vocal advocate for McCain on campus. McCain has the experience and knowledge to lead the country through difficult times,? said Bernardini. Obama's plan just does not make sense.?
The day before the election, both Berdardini and Klein participated in an informal debate hosted in the auditorium by representatives from the Young Democrats Club and the Patriotic Club. In a 3-on-3 open forum style, they debated the economy, the war in Iraq, and the middle class.
The debate and the mock election were the culmination of increasing political discussion on campus, both inside and outside BHS classrooms. People are really looking at what the youth have to say,? said Zink. We have a voice.?
Statewide results can be found at MyVote. Results of Burlingame High School's election are as follows:
Barack Obama (Democratic): 76%
John McCain (Republican): 17%
Ralph Nader (Peace and Freedom): 5%
Bob Barr (Libertarian): 2%
Alan Keyes (American Independent): 0%
Cynthia McKinney (Green): 0%
Prop. 1A (High-Speed Train Bond): Yes 74% No 26%
Prop. 2 (Treatment of Farm Animals: Yes 75% No 25%
Prop. 3 (Child Hospitals Bond): Yes 71% No 29%
Prop. 4 (Minor's Pregnancy): Yes 29% No 71%
Prop. 5 (Nonviolent Offenders): Yes 59% No 41%
Prop. 6 (Law Enforcement Funding): Yes 54% No 46%
Prop. 7 (Renewable Energy): Yes 72% No 28%
Prop. 8 (Same-Sex Marriage): Yes 28% No 72%
Prop. 9 (Victim's Rights, Parole): Yes 65% No 35%
Prop. 10 (Energy Bonds): Yes 73% No 27%
Prop. 11 (Redistricting): Yes 45% No 55%
Prop. 12 (Veterans' Bond): Yes 66% No 34%

– Written by Fiona