If they went to the polls today, voting-age Nashville high school students would pick Bernie Sanders for president. At least, that’s the result of an informal mock election that recently tallied 444 votes in four schools.
Sanders had a margin of almost two-to-one over Hillary Clinton. It may not be surprising with Sanders’ popularity among young voters and in the typically Democratic city.
Supporters like 17-year-old Vadar Galnasky, of John Overton High School, said he likes Sanders’ promises to help “build a strong middle class.”
“You know, he’s part of the 99 percent,” he said.
Others connect with Sanders’ criticisms of big banks and big-time political donors.
On the Republican side, Donald Trump led with 42 votes — good enough for 9 percent. At the same time, Trump also roused some disapproval votes like one from Daniel Nolan, a Ben Carson supporter.
“Donald Trump is racist and I just dislike him period,” he said. “I’m highly motivated to vote because I’m just hoping Donald Trump doesn’t get into office.”
The mock election — put on by the Davidson County Election Commission and the Mayor’s Youth Council — introduced many students to the voting booth for the first time.
While the city
set a record with 2,865 students registering to vote during the campaign, the mock election added fanfare at four schools: Overton, Hillsboro, McGavock, and Stratford.
This mock ballot started with national questions, but got more local as it went.
For example, students got to vote on whether their school needs a new library, more college counseling, or better technology.
The most popular answer was to ask for more “college readiness,” followed by investments in more job opportunities/internships and more technology.
At the same time, 66 percent said their school has the resources necessary to succeed.
They were also asked which community issue matters the most. Education led the way in that category, followed by human rights and crime.
The mock election was meant to get new voters excited and engaged. But making choices — even for pretend — could freak them out.
“It was stressful, because there’s a lot of options!” said Overton student Huda Hasan.
And the sheer volume of candidates didn’t make it any easier.
“There’s a lot of names on there that I didn’t really know,” said senior Ericca Goodman. “I just knew like three… Hilary Clinton, Trump, and … another guy. An old guy. I can’t remember what his name was.”
She stuck with someone she knew — and cast a ballot for Trump.
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