Harrison, North Farmington Hold Mock Elections

Students at and high schools got a real taste of democracy Oct. 20, casting their votes in mock elections for the candidates and questions that will appear on the Farmington Hills ballot Nov. 8.

Barry Brickner, the lone candidate for mayor, received 70 percent of the total vote; in the City Council race, incumbents Ken Massey and Randy Bruce, along with Richard Lerner, were the top three vote-getters.

Winners for the two six-year seats open on Farmington school board were challengers Angie Smith and Samuel Ramsey III; David Sampson beat Murray Kahn for the four-year seat; and George Gurrola, who is unopposed for a partial term, got 80 percent of the total vote.

Students favored both a public safety millage to fund police and fire services, and the renewal of a millage that funds the , the latter by more more than a 2-1 ratio.

Harrison Assistant Principal Angela Leach said civics and U.S. history classes were targeted, with all grade levels participating. The schools have been working with the city of Farmington Hills clerk's office, which provides voting machines to give students an authentic voting experience, for at least 11 years, she said.

"We've always had a great relationship with the city clerk's office," Leach said.

Before the election, many teachers included information about local issues in their classes, even watching televised forums as part of the overall experience. Students were also encouraged to gather information on their own, Leach said.

Two years ago, because there was such strong interest in the presidential election, the entire school participated in the mock election. Leach said Harrison's staff is talking about doing that again next year.

"When we do that, it's a lot of work to coordinate," she said. "But it's worth the effort to give the students that authentic experience."

Results for the Harrison and North mock elections: