Kubasaki High School simulates election

Ms. Kersha Odom

Nov 12, 2024

Kubasaki HS in Okinawa, Japan, simulated a mock election to represent the 2024 presidential election

On Tuesday, Nov. 5, Kubasaki High School in Okinawa, Japan, simulated a mock election to represent the 2024 presidential election. Kubasaki history, government, statistics, and Career and Technical Education (CTE) teachers collaborated to make the election feel as real as possible.

"Since we are overseas most of these kid's parents are voting through mail in votes,” said Kubasaki High School teacher Alexandria Haley, who set in motion the mock election at the high school. “No one here is going to be voting in person, so it's really important that we demonstrate the process of what in-person voting is like."

Along with the 2024 presidential candidates, the Nov. 5 Kubasaki ballot included four different ballot measures that students could vote on. AP Statistics and AP Government classes will also use the results and demographics gathered from the election to compare to the actual national results.

Kaiser Armor, 12th grade, votes in the mock election. A few Kubasaki students including Kaiser are eligible to vote in the actual election. All students were encouraged to participate in the elections to exercise their voice. (Photo by Jacob Cerros)

Both students and staff were welcomed to vote throughout the day. The only requirement was that voters bring in a valid form of government ID. Voters were checked in by staff members to ensure that voters only participated once, and votes remained anonymous.

"It's really impressive to see how the mock election has sparked conversations and interest in my classes," said Karmen Kincaid, English Language Arts (ELA) teacher.

Kubasaki teachers worked to ensure that as many details felt as real as possible, including hosting an "I Voted" sticker design contest in which digital media students were asked to create a Kubasaki voter sticker to distribute to voters on the day of the election.

**Timothy Cope, 11th grade, overlooks his choices for president and ballot measures. (Photos by Jacob Cerros, 11th grade)**

The Kubasaki information center housed the mock election. Rayana Windom, media specialist, greeted students as they checked in to vote. (Photo by Jacob Cerros) — **The Kubasaki information center housed the mock election. Charlotte Windom, media specialist, greeted students as they checked in to vote. (Photo by Jacob Cerros)**

**Gracie Mayorga, 11th grade, votes at the Kubasaki Mock Election. (Photo by Jacob Cerros)**

**After covering the event for the school news, Mason Rivera, junior, sports his favorite "I voted" sticker designed by senior Nathan Reeves. (Photo by Jacob Cerros)**

Nicole Yulee, junior, discusses with a peer about the upcoming election during yearbook class. Yearbook students were ask to cover the mock election by photographing the event and interviewing students. (Photo by Jacob Cerros)

Digital Media students got inspiration from the Kubasaki Dragon logo and the 2024 Presidential Campaign to design a sticker for the mock election. (Photo by Jacob Cerros)