Pupils take civics seriously in mock vote

ORONO – Fifth-graders at Asa Adams Elementary School got a lesson in democracy on Tuesday through the state’s mock election program.

More than 400 schools statewide participated in the mock election. Partial results were collected on Tuesday night at headquarters in Bangor and Augusta, but final numbers aren’t expected to be available until today.

The goal of the statewide mock election is to inspire students to become interested in the civic process. Discussions that begin at school often are continued at home.

Pupils in Mike Morcom’s class have been studying the candidates and issues for more than a month and took this week’s mock vote seriously. They presented their views on a variety of issues, including candidates’ positions on the war, education funding, employment and the environment before casting their ballots.

“I think that you should vote for George Bush because he has been president for four years,” fifth-grader Kate Berry said. “I don’t want [John] Kerry to be president and not know what he’s doing.”

Others said they’re ready for a change.

“I like [Ralph] Nader because I like what he stands for about the environment,” Josh Abbott said of the Better Life Party candidate for president.

“I think Kerry will be a better president because he said he would stop the war, and I believe he would,” Rose Aghamoosa said. Her father is from Iran, and she said her family is afraid that if Bush remains president, the war will spread to Iran in the quest for oil.

After all the votes were counted in Morcom’s class, the results were similar to what some think will happen on Nov. 2.

Bush and Kerry tied with 10 votes each, while Nader received one vote.

The congressional race was nearly as close, but in the end, Democratic candidate U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud came out on top by one vote over Republican candidate Brian Hamel.

The class wasn’t as divided on local referendum issues about bear baiting and the proposed Palesky tax cap. The pupils voted in favor of the bear baiting referendum, but opposed the Palesky initiative.

“The tax cap – that could be horrible for our whole state,” Sam Chase said.

The pupils said they are afraid that recreational activities, town services and jobs would be lost if the tax cap is passed.

“You think our classes are big now? After the tax cap, our classes might be 25 or 30 people. Do any of you want that?” Alex Bultell asked his classmates. “Generally it would be just catastrophic.”