PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Lori Sitler

Phone: (302) 577-8314

Pager: (302) 247-1132

Date: April 21, 2004

 

BRADY TO CO-CHAIR 2004 STUDENT/PARENT MOCK ELECTIONS

 

(Wilmington, DE): At the invitation of Frank Calio, Delaware Commissioner of Elections, Attorney General Jane Brady and Secretary of State, Harriet Smith Windsor, will act as Honorary Chairs for this year’s Delaware Student/Parent Mock Elections. Delaware is part of the National Student/Parent Mock Election, the largest voter education project in the country. 



According to the Elections Office website, the Mock Election, “is designed to teach students and their parents about the voting process and the benefits of civic participation by involving them in realistic simulations of all aspects of the electoral process.” Nationwide, in the last general election, over 6 million school students, from kindergarten through high school and some of their parents, cast votes for national and state candidates.



“This program is an exciting way to both educate and energize students to be good citizens and participate in their governance,” said Attorney General Brady.



The Mock Election is a nonpartisan, federally funded, volunteer-led project. Delaware school districts and other agencies help fund Delaware’s participation. A local Steering Committee of educators and government officials provides school district coordinators with standards-based lesson plans and election information which teachers may use in the classroom. Students participate in debates, discussions on key social and economic issues, and candidate forums. In late October, a three-day web-based voting period occurs. The Commissioner of Elections’ Office compiles results which are reported at a “convention” at Legislative Hall by student “delegates” who report for each “district.” Delaware results are then forwarded to CNN which compiles and reports on Mock Election results nationwide. 

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