Students’ mock election results mirror state election results

If last week’s mock election for Washington’s K-12 students is any indication, adults weren’t the only ones energized by the 2016 General Election.

According to the Washington Secretary of State’s Office, near-record 38,528 students voted in the 2016 Mock Election, just 320 off the all-time record set in 2012. Students in Federal Way cast 253 votes toward the total.

“We’re glad so many students had a chance to experience what voting is like, and we hope they’ll register when they are old enough and then consistently vote in our elections,” said Jackie Wheeler of the Elections Division’s voter education and outreach team.

Of the total votes cast, 33,104 were by students in grades 6-12 and 5,424 were by K-5 students.

Nearly 50 percent of students voted for Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton for president, while nearly 30 percent selected Republican nominee Donald Trump. Libertarian nominee Gary Johnson received 8.2 percent, while the Green Party’s Jill Stein garnered 5.6 percent.

In the U.S. Senate race, about 63 percent of students picked Democratic incumbent Patty Murray over Republican challenger Chris Vance (37.1 percent.)

For governor, Democratic incumbent Jay Inslee took in about 57.3 percent of the votes, besting Republican challenger Bill Bryant (42.7 percent).

Students also “approved” three initiatives, with 64 percent voting for I-1433 (minimum wage), 68 percent voting for I-1491 (restricting access to firearms), and about 53 percent voting for I-735 (petition to overturn Citizens United ruling of Supreme Court).