TITLE:     VOTING SIMULATION

AUTHOR:      Kathy L. Peck, Tumalo Elementary School,
             Redmond School District 2J, Redmond, Oregon

GRADE LEVEL:      4-12.

OVERVIEW: Young people have a natural curiosity about the
adult process of voting.  After a study of the lawmaking
branch of the state government and in conjunction with a
November election, present this multi-day lesson.

PURPOSE:  The purpose of this lesson is to help students
become aware of the rights and responsibilities of voting.

OBJECTIVES:  As a result of this simulation, the student
will:

1.  Demonstrate knowledge of candidates and issues by
    making an oral presentation.
2.  Fill out a voter registration card and turn it in to
    a designated person.
3.  Perform jobs that imitate precinct workers.
4.  Vote responsibly.
5.  Tally election results.
6.  Discuss and compare classroom election results with
    those from the official election.

RESOURCES/MATERIALS:  From the County Clerk's Office obtain
current voter's pamphlets, poll books, and voting booths
with punch cards. Teachers, students, and/or  volunteers
make up a voter registration card, booklet for voting booth,
and box for depositing ballots.

ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURES:
1.   Divide the class into cooperative learning groups.

2.   Use a "jigsaw" technique where each group is
     responsible for learning about one or more items from
     the voter's pamphlet [i.e., candidates, state measures,
     local issues], these "experts" will make an oral
     presentation to the class.
3.   Students will take home a voter's pamphlet to share and
     discuss with their parents.
4.   To achieve eligibility to vote in the classroom
     election, students must fill out and turn in voter
     registration card.
5.   Alphabetically list names and addresses in poll
     book.
6.   Have the class make up a booklet to be used in the
     voting booth with the punch cards [County Clerk's
     office cannot give out official voting booklets, voting
     booths need to be used at least one week prior to
     actual election date].
7.   On "Election Day" assign jobs that duplicate those of
     the precinct volunteers, use exact vocabulary and
     procedures.

TYING IT ALL TOGETHER:

1.   After the completed election integrate a math procedure
     into the activity by tallying and recording the
     results.
2.   Post, discuss, and share results with parents to
     further parental involvement.
3.   Compare official election returns with those of the
     class.



EXAMPLE:            VOTER REGISTRATION

Full Name:
Current Address:
Date of Birth:
Date Registered:

UNDER PENALTY OF LAW:  By signing this card, I certify that
I am a citizen of the United States of America and that I
shall have been a resident of Oregon for 20 days before the
next election at which I vote; that I shall be at least 9
years of age on or before the date of the next election at
which I will vote, and that all information I have supplied
is true to the best of my knowledge.
Signed_______________

Return your registration to the School Clerk's Office, Sue
Bozarth,
Secretary, 19835 Second Street, Bend, Oregon, 97701.