This fall, YLI will host its first ever Mock Constitutional Convention - a student-only online mock election which focuses on a series of important constitutional issues. The student poll coincides with the University of Virginia Center for Politics' National Constitutional Convention to be held October 19, 2007 in Washington, D.C.

Running October 1 through October 12, students will have the opportunity to log on to www.youthleadership.net and voice their opinions on constitutional change. Leading up to the days of voting, YLI will offer lesson plans that offer background knowledge about the U.S. Constitution such as "The Preamble", "What is an Amendment?", and "Amending the Constitution: Why Change?" YLI will also offer lesson plans and activities focusing specifically on the issues that will be on the ballot.

"YLI is trying something new this fall - a mock constitutional convention. It is something a lot of our teachers have expressed an interest in and will help to make celebrating Constitution Day relevant and exciting for students." said Meg Heubeck, YLI director of instruction. The Byrd Amendment, proposed by Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia, requires all publicly funded schools to offer educational programming on the Constitution on or near Constitution Day, September 17th. The Mock Constitutional Convention is a great culmination to a study of the U.S. Constitution.

The results of the election, which will be available once online polls close, will also be announced at the National Constitutional Convention held the following week in our nation's capital. The purpose of the convention is "to debate whether our nation's Founders imagined and/or expected revisions to the Constitution on any 'regular' basis and consider a series of possible changes and whether they would encourage a greater level of civic engagement and raise the level of trust in government and politics."

Bob Schieffer of CBS's Face the Nation will be the official moderator for an audience of "representatives" from across the country. The goal is to spur a national discussion on the Constitution and whether or not the cornerstone of our republic could or should be a means of revitalizing civic and political engagement in America, curtailing apathy and renewing confidence in American politics and government. To find out more information about the National Constitutional Convention, visit the Center for Politics site at www.centerforpolitics.org.

To contact YLI for more information, please email ylihelp@virginia.edu.