The Florida Student Mock Election has opened its statewide voter registration for K-12 students to cast “votes” for the upcoming election.

Through the Florida Joint Center for Citizenship – a partnership between the University of Central Florida’s Lou Frey Institute and the University of Florida’s Bob Graham Center – the balloting will be a part of the My Voice National Student Mock Election, the  largest student-driven civics project in the United States. Students will have the opportunity to cast their votes for candidates in both the federal and state elections, and to talk about the issues they care about this fall and beyond.

The program is a digital initiative of the Pearson Foundation. It builds on the 30-year history of the National Student/Parent Mock Election and My Voice. More than 50 million young voters have participated while learning about the importance of using their own voice to share perspectives on important issues. 

Florida student voting begins Oct. 22 and ends on National Mock Election day, Nov. 1

The Florida Student Mock Election will take place online. Teachers will be able to add ballot items on national topics, social issues, education, and local issues and are encouraged to register their classes to take part at www.floridastudentmockelection.com. 

Teachers are encouraged to use the free materials and curriculum developed for the program to create thoughtful lessons leading up to and around the upcoming elections.

More than 60 national civic, educational, and business organizations serve as cooperating organizations and partners. Along with the Pearson Foundation, this year’s partners include: American Association of School Administrators, Barquin International, BrainPOP, Council of the Great City Schools, Don’t Forget Ed, National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation, National Association of Elementary School Principals, National Association of Secondary School Principals, National Association of Secretaries of State, National Association of Student Councils, National Council for the Social Studies, National School Boards Association, NIE Institute, Rand McNally, SAGE, and USA Today.

“As a co-sponsor of the 26th Amendment that permitted 18-year-olds to vote, I have always believed that the participation of young people is critical to the future of our democracy,” said former Congressman Lou Frey. “The Florida Student Mock Election builds the habits that will help produce a lifetime of participation.”

Former U. S. Senator and Florida Governor Bob Graham agreed. “Participation in elections is an essential responsibility of citizenship and a requirement to fulfill democracy’s promise that the government will be of “we, the people.” By taking part in mock elections, students learn that choosing leaders is the essence of democracy.”

The National Student Mock Election was co-founded by Edward Stanley and Gloria Kirshner in 1980 as the National Student/Parent Mock Election. Teachers can get more information and register their classes to vote at http://www.floridastudentmockelection.com.

Contact for additional information: Valerie McVey, valerie.mcvey@ucf.edu, 407-823-4018.