North Ridgeville Schools Engage Students in Hands-On Civic Learning through Mock Election

NORTH RIDGEVILLE – In partnership with , North Ridgeville City Schools brought the democratic process to life on Friday, November 1. Students across grade levels participated in a district-wide mock election. From preschool to high school, students engaged in voting activities tailored to their age group, learning the importance of civic engagement and the power of voting.

For our youngest learners, preschool and kindergarten students cast their votes by raising hands in their classrooms, choosing their favorite animal. Options included a cat, dog, rabbit, and monkey. Despite the daily presence of Andy, the district's beloved therapy dog, the cat emerged as the overwhelming favorite.

At Liberty Elementary, first and second grader students experienced the excitement of stepping into a voting booth to decide on a new playground addition. With the help of iPads for voting, students chose between a new set of soccer goals or a basketball hoop, with soccer goals winning 65 percent of the votes. Thanks to the support of the North Ridgeville Soccer Board, the school will soon enjoy new soccer nets on their playground.

At North Ridgeville Academic Center (NRAC) and Ranger High Tech Academy (RHTA), students took their first steps toward informed citizenship by casting votes on a sample Lorain County ballot via their Google Chromebooks. This hands-on exercise allowed students to explore real ballot issues, offices, and terminology, providing invaluable insight into the types of decisions they may face as adult voters.

High school students took civic engagement to the next level by participating in an authentic polling experience during their social studies and government classes. Following a process that mirrored official voting, students checked in, signed in for voter IDs, waited in line, and cast their votes in a private booth using Google Chromebooks.

The sample ballots and voter IDs, provided by Kids Voting Ohio, mirrored those used in Lorain County elections.

Lee Armbruster, North Ridgeville's Coordinator of Community Partnerships, spearheaded this initiative.

"Each year, we strive to create an increasingly authentic experience to help our students understand the full voting process," Armbruster explained. "By preparing our students, we not only help them develop confidence as future voters but also foster a sense of civic responsibility."

To support eligible student voters, North Ridgeville Schools assist students who turn 18 in registering to vote. Additionally, eligible students have the chance to visit the Lorain County Board of Elections, giving them the opportunity to cast their first ballot alongside their peers, easing the apprehension of new voters and emphasizing the value of lifelong civic engagement.

This mock election experience provided North Ridgeville students with a valuable hands-on lesson in democracy. School officials said the entire exercise helps to foster a generation of informed and engaged citizens.