Primary school students learn importance of voting

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  • John Gregory (left), 8, helped Israel Martinez, 8, submit his ballot at the mock election at Snyder Primary School on Wednesday.
    John Gregory (left), 8, helped Israel Martinez, 8, submit his ballot at the mock election at Snyder Primary School on Wednesday.
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Students at Snyder Primary School learned the importance of voting this week as the school held a mock election on Wednesday.
All students, pre-kindergarten to third grade, took part. Students who are part of the Campus Ambassador program served as election workers, explaining the procedure to other students and helping make sure the ballots were collected and counted correctly.
Two students at a time would go into a vestibule serving as a voting booth. There, students chose between the two major party presidential candidates and placed their ballot in a ballot box.
The exercise was conducted to teach children the importance of living in a democracy and the right to choose our leaders.
Third grade teacher Becky Weller said she hopes that by instilling these values in children’s minds at a young age, they will be more inclined to exercise their right to vote in the future.
“Hopefully, this will encourage kids to vote when they are of age to vote,” Weller said.
Although the mock election was not an exact replication of the election process, it gave students a sense of duty and pride by allowing them to make a choice.
More important than who the students voted for was the fact that they voted and learned they can make a difference.
“That’s why it’s important,” Jaeda Benitez, 8, said. “Every vote counts.”
The students favored Republican Donald Trump over Democrat Hillary Clinton, 480-456.