In collaboration with the Youth Leadership Initiative (YLI), a national civic education program based at the University of Virginia Center for Politics, Independence Middle School eighth-grade students participated in the 2014 National Mock Election and Constitutional Convention.

The YLI Mock Election is the largest secure, student-only online mock election in the nation, with thousands of students all over the country voting during a two-week period prior to Election Day. Independence held its mock election and constitutional convention on Tuesday, Oct. 28.

Independence teachers (Kelli Scarborough, Marco Mercado, Kasie Baker and Norma Wilson) diligently prepared students for voting in their civics classrooms. In addition to being introduced to the candidates and their platforms for the national and local election, students learned about representative government in the Constitution, why it is important and how civic engagement involves voting. Discussions included why voting is an important responsibility and how it can impact the local community.

The decision to participate in the event was based on a national research study conducted by University of Virginia Center for Politics Director Larry J. Sabato and Chief of Staff Ken Stroupe, in which they found conclusively, that the instructional components of the Youth Leadership Initiative can have a positive impact on students. According to the study, Stroupe found that “students in classes where teachers used the YLI Mock Election and the related lesson plans reported a higher tendency towards future political participation.”

“Programs such as the YLI Mock Election and Constitutional Convention have the opportunity to excite students about our democracy and teach them about their rights and responsibilities as citizens. Students are empowered with a sense of “I can” optimism that will lead to a lifetime of civic involvement,” Sabato said in the study.

Results of the YLI National Mock Election and Constitutional Convention will be available the morning after Election Day –  Wednesday, Nov. 5.