2025 marks first year mock elections held for a referendum election
AUGUSTA, MAINE – The Maine Student Mock Election will be held tomorrow, Tuesday, October 28, with students at 78 schools around the state participating. This marks the first year a mock election will be held for a referendum election.
“This Is the first-time ever we’re doing mock election outside of a general election year. It’s a great opportunity for students to learn about referendums and discuss the issues of the day,” said Secretary of State Shenna Bellows.
Most of the participating schools will hold mock elections tomorrow, with announcement of results expected on Wednesday. Some schools may hold their mock elections earlier or later. Each school will choose which of three provided questions to use for their election. The questions include the two referendum election questions as well as one added in recognition of the United States’ upcoming Semiquincentennial celebration:
Question 1: Do you want to change Maine election laws to eliminate two days of absentee voting, prohibit requests for absentee ballots by phone or family members, end ongoing absentee voter status for seniors and people with disabilities, ban prepaid postage on absentee ballot return envelopes, limit the number of drop boxes, require voters to show certain photo ID before voting, and make other changes to our elections?
Question 2: Do you want to allow courts to temporarily prohibit a person from having dangerous weapons if law enforcement, family, or household members show that the person poses a significant danger of causing physical injury to themselves or others
Mock Referendum Question: Do you believe that the language in the Declaration of Independence, written 250 years ago, is still relevant today?
“The third question was added both for younger participants perhaps learning about the history of our nation for the first time as well as older students who may be taking a deeper look into the contents and meaning of the Declaration of Independence as part of school curriculum as we approach the 250th anniversary of our nation’s birth,” said Secretary Bellows, who chairs Maine’s Semiquincentennial Commission. “Young Mainers are the decision makers of the future. The mock election process in a fun and educational way to learn how to determine what is fact or rhetoric and to discuss and even debate questions while forming their own opinions about how they choose to vote. It will be valuable lessons when they one day are in a real voting booth.”
At the invitation of several schools, Secretary Bellows will travel to a few of the participating schools on Tuesday to meet with students, teachers, and staff.
The Student Mock Election is one of several programs for students from the Department of Secretary of State. Other programs are listed on the Secretary’s Kid’s Page.
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