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Mock Election Portal

Secretary Benson talking with a high school student

Mock Election Portal

High school student speaking

Host a mock election

Mock elections are a highly interactive way to engage young and future voters and promote future generations of an active, engaged, and informed electorate. As we gear up for a historic election cycle in Michigan and nationwide, is it important that every voter has access to accurate information about voting and elections. Notably, in 2020, youth voter turnout in Michigan was only 54%, compared to the statewide average turnout of 71%. That is why our office is launching this portal for educators and civic engagement leaders to promote democracy in classrooms across Michigan. This page has every resource you need to conduct your own nonpartisan mock election in your community.

 

Mock Election Tutorial with Secretary Benson

Step-by-step guide

The Mock Election Portal makes hosting your own mock election easy. Download a step-by-step guide to get started:

PDFMock Election Step-By-Step Guide

 

Overview

Opening your mock election program with an overview of Michigan’s elections will help prepare students to cast their vote with confidence, knowing what to expect when they step into a polling place, drop their ballot off at a secure ballot drop box or with their local clerk, or when they vote by mail. You may download the high school version. We’ve also provided a version that’s intended for grades K-8.

PDFHigh school version

PDFK-8 version

Sample ballots (for educational purposes only)

For educational purposes, we provide sample ballots from past elections that you may distribute to your class to prepare students for what to expect when they vote for the first time. However, for your mock election, we recommend utilizing the provided mock ballots that are designed specifically for this activity.


Additional election resources

In addition to no-excuse absentee voting and same-day voter registration enshrined in Michigan’s constitution in 2018, the overwhelming passage of Proposal 2 added new elements to Michigan’s voting laws that impact young voters in 2024, including nine days of early in-person voting. We recommend including additional election resources with students’ ballot packets. These fliers provide general information on new voting rights to prepare the next generation of voters with accurate information on all the ways they can cast their vote securely and conveniently.


Preregister 16- and 17-year-olds and register eligible voters

Starting in 2024, Michigan has preregistration which means that for the first time in our state’s history, 16- and 17-year-olds can preregister to vote. Young people in Michigan who preregister will be automatically registered to vote at age 17.5, making their first voting experience at age 18 easier than ever before. Be sure to provide students with preregistration information, encourage them to preregister online or by completing a preregistration application, and for those already at least 17.5, encourage them to register to vote.

Learn more about preregistration

 

Don't forget to encourage students to sign up to become a poll worker!

Serving as a poll worker is another great opportunity for young people to get firsthand experience with Michigan's elections. Students aged 16 and up can serve as poll workers, and it is a paid position. Encourage students to sign up to be poll workers!


A roll of "I voted today" stickers

Democracy is a team sport, and we need every educator on our team more than ever before. Be sure to share photos and videos of your mock election and don’t forget to tag us!

#MIvote2024

Connect with us

Please email us if you have feedback or questions about this portal. Did you host a mock election? Shoot us an email at MDOS-StudentsVote@Michigan.gov, we would love to hear about your experience hosting a mock election!