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A general election year is a terrific time to teach youngsters how the United States goes about voting for president. Chisago Lakes Middle School took this opportunity and ran with it last week, getting students involved in election-related roles ranging from Supreme Court Justices to electoral college members.

As part of the Chisago Lakes Middle School social studies class curriculum sixth, seventh and eighth grade students participated in a presidential election last week. The student body easily put the McCain-Palin ticket over the top; with electoral college vote totals of 366 for McCain to Obama's 169 electoral votes.

Actual votes were cast Thursday, Oct. 30 and the electoral college members announced tabulations Friday at the start of the school day.

The red-blue states map was then posted on internal feed television monitors in the middle school.

Students were chosen from their first period Core Connect classes to represent the states (classrooms) and declare ballot totals. These electoral representatives gathered in the large social studies classroom on the third floor, exuding enthusiasm and excitement. A couple students also acted as correspondents for a national network and worked the phone.

An interesting footnote to the learning process was when the state of Hawaii ballot ended in a tie for electoral votes and the "supreme court" justices had to convene and rule on the balloting outcome.

Social Studies instructor Mr. Erickson commented that the students showed some remarkable insight in discussing the voting process and candidates' issues. Up until the electoral college tabulations were announced he wasn't sure if students would put Obama or McCain in the White House.

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