This high school elections course, created by a retired social studies teacher from New Hampshire, simulates the process of electing officials in the American political system. The program includes a school-wide political campaign and election rally, and it culminates in a mock election. The course is designed for U.S. Presidential, Gubernatorial, Congressional or local elections. 

The course may also be modified for middle school students.

Ms. Joyce writes:

"Having been an educator for over thirty years, both as a middle/high school Social Studies teacher and high school administrator, I have had the good fortune of instituting this program in a number of New Hampshire high schools.  The presidential rallies and mock elections were a huge success and generated a great deal of attention among the local media.  The students throughout these high schools became informed 'voters' and were very involved in the electoral process.

"The program developed into a school-wide interdisciplinary one, involving virtually every department in the school, simulating every aspect of the electoral process and directly or indirectly impacting all students.  The culminating activity, the school-wide Election Rally and Mock Election, received state-wide media attention. 

"The reaction of the community to the program from School Board members to parents, faculty and the press was all positive and certainly a factor in public support for our school.   The Elections course was so popular it became necessary to close registration enrollment for the 2004 Presidential election."

For additional information and hand-outs to help implement the course, please contact the submitter.