Lowell Elementary is not an official polling place. But about 700 students are still casting their ballots there on election day.

5th grade teacher London Goode ordered the ballot boxes and stickers. They are part of the Students Voting program offered by the Minnesota Secretary of State.

“I thought it was a great opportunity for our kids to practice voting,” Goode shared. “Statistics show that when students talk about voting when they’re younger, they’re more likely to vote when they are of age.”

5th graders took on the role of ballot readers for their younger peers, and also helped with distributing ballots and the I Voted stickers.

The older students voted on a full ballot of races that Duluthians would see. The kindergartners had a modified version with just three races.

They’ll be counting the presidential votes as well. Stay tuned for the results!

More than 500 schools are doing the mock election, including others in the Northland.