District 214 Community Education participates in mock elections

Students of District 214 Community Education's Citizenship program, together with their instructors, participated in mock elections for the first time in late October hosted by the League of Women Voters.

The League, headed by Chair Stacey Tobin, presented each student with a pocket Constitution.

"Our students had many questions about the American election process. They were very interested in Electoral College, popular and electoral vote," teacher Ewa Crowe said. "They wanted to know the difference between the primaries, general and presidential election."

Mock elections, according to Tobin, are an important tool because they connect "theory and reality." She added that students become more engaged in the process and appreciate the importance of their vote as they pretend to check into the polling station, choose candidates in the voting booth, and observe the actions of election judges.

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan organization that encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

"Our students were very grateful to all the League of Women Voters who came and showed them how to vote and explained to them the importance of voting," Crowe said.

Citizenship classes, under District 214 Community Education's Adult Education and Family Literacy program, are held at Forest View Educational Center in Arlington Heights and the Schaumburg Public Library.

Community Education instructors Jivka Petrova, Carinna Tello and Jo Ann Fletcher run the citizenship program in addition to Crowe. For more information on the program, visit ce.d214.org, call Ewa Crowe at (847) 718-7730 or email ewa.crowe@d214.org.