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'A voice that can be heard'

Students relish chance to cast votes,
debate issues in national mock election

November 1, 2000
Web posted at: 5:08 PM EST (2208 GMT)

In this story: Topics relevant to teens 'Politicians don't listen' LESSON PLAN RELATED STORIES, SITES

By Erika Alexander
CNN Student Bureau
Clark Atlanta University
Atlanta, Georgia

The voting has already begun. For several weeks, students across the country have been casting their votes for president.

And on Thursday, the results of the National Student Vote 2000 will reveal who millions of students would like to see lead the country.

WORKING THE VOTE Young campaign staffers share views from political war rooms   Student views on the 2000 presidential race

CNN Youth e-vote 2000 and the National Student/Parent Mock Election combined efforts to form the National Student Vote 2000.

In the last general presidential election, more than 6 million elementary, middle school, high school students and some of their parents cast their votes for national and state candidates.

From left, ninth-graders Mike Clayton, James Cain, Latanzia Clarke, Janekkia Shermon, Cyeaira Lenon and Chris Fulford from Chamblee High School near Atlanta, Georgia, will participate in the National Student Vote 2000

But the National Student Vote 2000 does more than count votes. This year, students across the country will also have a chance to discuss topics about which they care. College Republican National Committee member Lisa Wernick said she believes the presidential candidates have not focused on topics relevant to teens. "The main issues aren't issues that young people are interested in -- Social Security and health insurance," she said.

National Student/Parent Mock Election national director Alice Jones agrees. "Today's youth are concerned with violence in schools, which differs from adults. Generally, adults feel more secure," Jones said. "Students feel threatened and on the firing line."

The National Student Vote 2000 gives young voters a chance to use their voices. "Not many adults listen . . . the mock election gives young people a voice that can be heard," she said.

Adults are not the only ones failing to listen, said Ellen Shearer, who oversees Why Vote 2000, a Web site geared toward young voters. "Young people say, 'We have something important to say,' but politicians don't listen," she said. "…When the candidates talk about vouchers, they're not talking to the students. They're talking to the parents."

Social studies teacher Patrick White has used the presidential campaign as a teaching tool in his classes at Chamblee High

The National Student Vote 2000 encourages students to voice their opinions on several important social problems facing America. Mock election participants at Chamblee High School, a suburban school in metro Atlanta, are concerned about education and abortion.

"Abortion is a big issue in our class. It always boils down to Bush's view vs. Gore's view," said 14-year-old Latanzia Clarke. "I believe in a woman's right to choose."

Although the students at Chamblee High had differing views on abortion, they found a common ground on education. "One thing that stuck out in their minds was Al Gore's higher education plan," said ninth-grade social studies teacher Patrick White, referring to the vice president's proposal for college tuition tax credits. "They really liked the idea of receiving financial support for college."

Although the ninth-graders at Chamblee High are not eligible to vote on Election Day, they participated in this year's election through the National Student Vote 2000. "They can't wait until Thursday," White said. "I am sure we will have a lot to talk about."

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Youth e-Vote
National Student/Parent Mock Election
yvote2000.com

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