Tuesday, November 5, was Election Day across the nation, and students in Marietta
Elementary School experienced how democracy works by having an election of their
own.
“We are experiencing voting, even before we turn 18,” said Principal Dana McMillin. “We
are learning to understand the steps of voting, beginning with getting a voter ID card,
knowing the options on the ballot, coming to the polling station, and even how to mark a
ballot.”
Teachers painted pumpkins, and those works of art were put on display, anonymously,
because McMillin and her staff didn’t want to get into politics or campaigning. The entire
election is about students learning about a democratic government at work.
“We didn’t let our students know which teacher painted which pumpkin because we
didn’t want it to be a popularity contest,” insisted McMillin. “We also didn’t want to get
into the politics of the presidential campaign and their platforms.”
Prior to the election, McMillin visited each classroom and spoke with students about the
voting process.
“I talked about things like voter requirements, voter registration, ballots, polls, things like
that,” explained McMillin. “We talked about how people are elected and placed into
positions by voters, and the importance of voting for the candidates that share the same
values, ideas, and beliefs as you do so they can represent your interests.”
On Tuesday, each student brought their voter ID to the polling place, located outside the
office. They signed the book of registered voters and were given a ballot, which they
cast in favor of the best pumpkin, and then placed the ballot into the ballot box. After
casting their ballot, each received an “I Voted” sticker, proclaiming to the rest of the
school that they had participated in the election.
The winning pumpkin was announced at the end of the day, but which teacher painted
which pumpkin is irrelevant. It’s all about what students learned from the process.
“Our students are learning firsthand how our democracy works,” concluded McMillin,
“and that’s what education is all about.”