Many elementary schools hold mock elections for their students. It gives them an opportunity to experience the voting process and grow in their understanding of what an election is. The first school I taught in Virginia held a mock election in my fourth year teaching. I will always remember it, because of a wonderful little boy named Clinton and his zealous desire to see his candidate win.
Clinton was a smart little boy. He loved learning and absorbed everything that was going on around him. He came in on Election Day all fired up about voting and the candidate he wanted to win. He had listened to the T.V. ads and talked with his parents. Clinton was filled with reasons his man was the best man to be president.
As the other students filtered into the classroom, I heard a loud voice from the coat closet in the back of the classroom saying, “I can’t vote for him. My dad used to work for Perot.” I rushed to the back of the room just in time to hear the tail end of the conversation. Clinton was saying to a little boy named Kevin, “Do you know what he will do to our country?” “I don’t care,” Kevin replied, “I have to vote for Perot.
I called Clinton out of the coat closet and asked him if had been trying to persuade other children to vote for his candidate. “Yes, I have,” he said, “They don’t have any idea who to vote for.” “You know they can pick anyone they want for president,” I told him. “My guy is the guy,” he informed me. “You know this is not a real vote don’t you Clinton? We are just voting to see what voting is like,” I told him. “Oh! No! This is real,” he said. Clinton went on to tell me that he was the only one voting in his family in this election. His vote had to count. His candidate needed to win. The other candidates would destroy our country. Bush needed his vote!
He was right. Bush needed his vote. When he came in the next day he looked crestfallen, the election had not gone the way he wanted it to. He was now worried about what would happen to his country.
I loved Clinton’s passion for voting then and I still love it now. Clinton has been old enough to vote for years. I hope the disappoint he had in the American voting system in second grade hasn’t kept him from going to the polls.
lissa says
what a smart kid, he should run for office, he certainly have the skills
Mary says
We all could benefit from a dose “Clinton” enthusiam when it comes to voting 🙂
EG Wow says
I think it’s important to encourage children to vote when they grow up! GREAT post.
CollectIn Texas Gal says
Another example of lessons learned at school that carry over to adulthood. I bet Clinton never forgets his teacher that held the Mock Election for President.
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Shell says
I hope that he hasn’t lost his enthusiasm for voting!
Christianne @ Little Page Turners says
With that zeal, he’s probably running for office! 🙂
Ames says
My daughter went to school with a boy like your Clinton. He eventually was voted President of the Student body. He even dressed and talked like a slick Southern politician. Who knows, maybe he will be President one day. Maybe that’s what they are all like before they step into the political arena. Touching post!~Ames
Tracy says
Good post children should learn about voting from a young age .
Gattina says
In Belgium voting is obligatory. You have to, otherwise you get a fine.
Not a very good idea either, because those who don’t want to vote will write some bull…t ! or leave it void.
Nora Johnson says
Great post – children should learn from an early age!
XOXO Lola:)
cooperl788 says
I love this! Since Georgia was born, I’ve always taken her to the polls with me to vote because I want her to see that it’s something we all need to do. It’s our responsibility as Americans!
Nick says
That’s right: vote early; vote often.
Menopausal New Mom says
Dropped by to say Hello and to follow You!
Amiko says
wow, that boy was so clever, even my daughter didn’t know what VOTE is.
Shanee says
I’m your newest follower from the Thursday blog Hops! Come check out my blog at: http://adventuresofathriftymommy.blogspot.com/
Have a Great Day!
Christy says
I remember that election very well – and was disappointed along with your Clinton – so much so, I went into labor when the results came in!
Abbie says
That is a great story! I use to love those school elections as well. And I was also that kid that was CONVINCED I knew what was best and tried to persuade all the other kids to vote the way I was. Too funny.
Rocky Mountain Woman says
What a great story!
It’s an inspiration to all of us to get out and vote…
gabe says
what a fun story!
I can totally relate to Clinton, because usually whomever I vote for loses!
Whimsical Creations says
What a sweet post!
Sue says
I wish everyone were as conscientious about all things related to voting as was this boy.
“/
Lori says
What a great story and what a wonderful sense of passion this little boy, Clinton had for doing what he thought was the right thing to do for his country.
Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti says
Good story! I hope that boy still has a passion for voting. Sometimes I think the biggest complainers in our country are the ones who don’t vote.
mle says
It’s so heartening to hear of young children being passionate about something other than video games!! Wouldn’t you love to know what Clinton is up to these days?
Timely story for your G post : )
Sailing Simply says
Very cute story! I remember my children holding mock elections when they were in school and taking it very seriously that they got to keep who they were voting for private! But they couldn’t wait to say who they voted for when it was all over and their candidate won. LOL!
Jo says
i will all people had a passion for voting!!!
Judie says
Rod votes by mail, but in the lat year our son has lived with us, I have made it a point to take him with me to the polls to vote. I want it to become a habit with him. One can always forget to mail that ballot, and no “I voted” sticker is inclosed!
Jenny says
It is really heartening to hear of children like this trying to be politically responsible in a world of apathy.
This little story warmed my heart.
Thank you for a GGGGreat link to Alphabe-Thursday’s little journey through the letter G.
This was excellent.
A+
•••Mumsy••• says
Great story, and I hope more having this enthusiasm as Clinton on voting..
Wysteria says
Fun! Yea! For CLinton!
Thanks for stopping by my blog too!
Wysteria
Becca says
My elementary schools did this, and it taught me that it is my right and my responsibility to vote. I wish everyone had that instilled in them at a young age. My husband talks a lot about politics but didn’t make it to the polls this year. I told him he doesn’t get to complain about anything for 2 years. 🙂
Cheryl says
Sweet!
ChristiS says
Love it! Where in VA did you teach? I live down in the far Southwestern corner of the state, but have friends all over!
Toni says
Awesome story!
I’m visiting from SITS…you’ve got a great blog!
Toni
http://carrigansjoy.blogspot.com/2010/11/guilty-pleasures-coffee.html
Jennifer says
Stopping in from SITS. What a funny story. I wonder if Clinton is somehow related to my son… oddly enough, I actually just posted a post yesterday about the year my son was 4, and he decided to research candidates and wholeheartedly back Barack Obama, based on the fact that his favorite color was blue and the Democrats were represented by blue. And I had to print a mock vote for him, there was no way I could convince him he was too young to vote and to this day, he thinks he voted in that election.