-Written by Emily Jesch (Emily is a junior at Albany High School)
In a result that likely mimics democratic Albany, President Barack Obama crushed challenger Mitt Romney in Albany High School’s mock election. Obama received 88% of the 525 votes cast, while Romney received only 5%. The four other presidential tickets combined received the remaining 5% of the votes.
It remains to be seen how Albany High’s results will compare to the national voting on November 6.
Senior Xian Wong commented, “Voting was really easy. They did a good job making the process simple, and we talked about the propositions and what they meant in my class.”
This mock election was sponsored by Albany High and the League of Women Voters of California Education Fund. The League of Women Voters is an organization that encourages informed and active participation in the government, and also works to increase the understanding of major public policy issues.
In the U.S. Senate race, incumbent Democrat Diane Feinstein received 88% of the votes and Republican challenger Elizabeth Emken received 9%.
Those propositions with the most direct impact on students also did well. Proposition 30, which would increase taxes to support education funding received 76% support, with 22% of the vote against. Proposition 38, which would also increase taxes for early education programs and the general fund, also received a lot of support. The results were slightly closer, however, with 62% voting yes, and 34% voting no.
The Death Penalty, Proposition 34, was much closer than other results. Fifty-eight % of voters said yes, the death penalty should be repealed, while 40% said no, that the death penalty should remain.
“I enjoy government and voting, and was in Youth and Government, so I’m pretty competent in this sort of stuff,” junior Zach Fuson said. “I think depending on the person, it can be a great opportunity and be fun. But I really enjoyed it. It was well run.”
The complete Albany High School mock election results:
Total Number of Students Who Voted: 525
President:
Hoefling - 0
Obama -456
Stein - 21
Johnson - 6
Barr - 3
Romney - 31
Senator:
Feinstein - 467
Emken - 50
Proposition 30:
Yes - 399
No - 117
Proposition 31:
Yes - 270
No - 236
Proposition 32:
Yes - 157
No - 349
Proposition 33:
Yes - 265
No - 248
Proposition 34:
Yes - 308
No - 210
Proposition 35:
Yes - 404
No - 110
Proposition 36:
Yes - 352
No - 161
Proposition 37:
Yes - 373
No - 142
Proposition 38:
Yes - 330
No - 182
Proposition 39:
Yes - 372
No - 135
Proposition 40:
Yes - 272
No - 227
