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Sarasota students send Nelson back to the Senate in mock election

Sarasota County high school students voted to send U.S. Senator Bill Nelson back to the senate in a mock election held the week of October 23.

A total of 3155 students from Sarasota, Booker, Venice, and Riverview High Schools, Pine View School and Cyesis, made their selections on the county's touch screen voting system for U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, and governor, and responded to three questions developed by members of the Supervisor of Elections Student Advisory Board. Voters were able to choose between the two major party candidates for each office, with no write-in candidates.

Senator Nelson was re-elected by a vote of 1664 to 1436 for Congresswoman Katherine Harris, with 55 abstentions (undervotes). Christine Jennings defeated Vern Buchanan for the U.S. Congressional District 13 seat by a vote of 1596 to 1499, with 60 abstentions. In the gubernatorial race, students elected Jim Davis over Charlie Crist by a vote of 1569 to 1531 (55 abstentions).

All three ballot questions either passed or failed by substantially larger margins.

• Should passing the FCAT be required for graduation? (Yes 1207; No 1928)
• If Sarasota built a dedicated teen center would you use it? (Yes 1737; No 1393)
• Should the curfew for 16- and 17-year old drivers be eased? (Yes 2036; No 1109)

The purpose of the mock election, which is organized by the Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Office with the support of the school district and each school's social studies department, is to increase awareness and understanding of the electoral process and encourage students to become involved in the process.

"Ultimately, we hope to create a generation of voting adults," Supervisor of Elections Kathy Dent said. "I believe that the number of student voters participating this year shows that even those who are not yet eligible to vote can be inspired by the issues and candidates," she added.