2009 Mock Election Results
by Meg Heubeck
November 02, 2009

The 2009 YLI Mock Election was a success with over 310,000 votes cast for governor (NJ and VA), referenda on the budget and social security, three e-Congress bills and local races added by teachers. This was the first time the Mock Election was offered nationally in an off election year such at this with 38 states participating. The 2009 YLI Mock Election was in fact the only national mock election held this year.

In Virginia, students chose Republican Bob McDonnell over Democrat Creigh Deeds 51% to 44%. New Jersey students selected incumbent Democrat Jon Corzine over challengers Republican Chris Christie and Independent Christopher Daggett. Corzine received 45%, Christie 33% and Daggett 12%.

Students across the nation weighed in on referenda provided by YLI partner Public Agenda. Students opted to increase the social security tax, change the age at which citizens can receive social security benefits but did not support a decrease in social security benefits. A lesson plan created by YLI using Public Agenda's Facing Up to Our Nations Finances webpage helped teachers to prepare students for voting on such timely referenda.

A balanced national budget is a priority for young voters. Mock Election participants supported a balanced budget referendum by overwhelming majority; 77% to 22%. Once again students prepared to vote by using resources created by the Youth Leadership Initiative and Public Agenda.

Many teachers took advantage of the ability to customize their school's ballots by removing referenda or adding their own races and referenda such as mayor, city council, state house races, and others.

The Youth Leadership Initiative is proud of all of the educators who chose to vote in this special off-year election. We wish to commend all of those who live the motto, "Civics. All Year. Every Year."