MGTV Michigan Mock Election Project
Michigan Government TV (MGTV), in partnership with Leland Public Schools, coordinated the National/Student Parent Mock Election (NSPME)- the largest mock election in the country-for Michigan for the 2010 election. In 2010, Students in grades K-12 from public, charter or private schools in Michigan voted online for the offices of U.S. Congress and Governor. They were also able to vote on contemporary issues such as immigration, the economy, energy and health care.
Plans are already in the works for this year’s election. Continue to stay plugged in to our education programs and to stay updated on our 2012 Mock Election by joining our Facebook group. Follow this link to join the group. MGTV Teacher Education Group
Planning for 2012:
Start thinking about this year’s election by using our curriculum guide. The guide provides a successful blueprint for pre-election activities and curriculum culminating in a mock election-style rally at your school.
Mock Election Curriculum Guide
-created by Ed Wodek, teacher, Leland Public School, Leland, MI
-curriculum by David Barr, Education Consultant for Michigan Government TV
Here is what happened in 2010…
1. Students learned about the candidates and issues.
NSPME Curriculum Guides
Teacher curriculum guides were provided free of charge on the issues of energy, immigration, health care and the economy courtesy of the National Student/Parent Mock Election (NSPME) that corresponded to the online ballot. The NSPME has provided these issue guides which give in-depth analysis of the various issues which will also be on the ballots for students to vote on for the election.
MGTV Election Programs
Select high school classes participated via videoconference in live programs on MGTV with candidates for statewide office (such as Secretary of State and Attorney General). Online videos of candidate interviews and election forums were then made available on MGTV election video gallery for classroom viewing.
2. Students got fired up about the election!
Check out photos from the 2010 rally held at Leland High School on Facebook.
3. Students voted in the election!
Voting took place online from 2 weeks leading up to the election through the NSPME. A sample Michigan ballot can be viewed online.
This material is based on work supported by a grant from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC). Any opinion, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the EAC.
