Secretary of State Holding Mock Election Process

While voters in Washington won't be getting their ballots until late next week, teachers can have their students participate in what the Secretary of State's office is calling a mock election now. Secretary Kim Wyman says they provide all the materials for teachers, including "I voted" stickers.

"We try to give the students the experience that their parents, or the adults in their life have, to start getting them to see the importance of voting. Research has shown that if a child sees that voting is important from an adult in their life, like a teacher or their parents or their grandparents, those children are likely to become lifelong voters."

The state doesn't tabulate the results, but Wyman encourages teachers or schools to collect the kids ballots and compare to their county's results.

Wyman says the process and results can be used to stimulate discussion in school or at home.

"It plants a seed of why their vote matters and why it's important and that they are part of this larger community that actually helps pick the leaders who make the decisions that affect our lives. It's a good first step and we've heard great feedback from teachers and students."

A new state law allows 16- and 17-year-olds to sign up to be automatically registered to vote once they turn 18.