So what if it's fake? Students flock to voting booths

If voting rights were based on political knowledge and not age, Greg Wilk would be first in line to cast a ballot on Nov. 4.

The Rolling Meadows senior reads every newspaper he can get his hands on and magazines like the Economist. This week he took on the role of John McCain for his school's mock presidential debate.

Ask him why he's a McCain guy and you'll get a large exhale.

"I like his stance on the economy," said Wilk, wearing a pin-stripped shirt and blue jeans. "There are other things I disagree with him on, but not on the economy."

Wilk isn't alone. Suddenly politics are cool.

This election is breaking records when it comes to the involvement of high schoolers. During the 2008 primary, 642 students signed up to be election judges in Cook County. Next month there will be 1,720 student judges. During the past few days, thousands of high schoolers cast wishful ballots during their lunch hours. Their votes don't count but that's not really the point, said Cook County Clerk David Orr who stopped by Rolling Meadows High School on Thursday.

"Teenagers not yet 18 may not be able to vote but they want to participate in this historic election," Orr said. "These are voting habits we hope will continue when they are adults."

Rolling Meadows - like many other local high schools - closely mimicked the real voting experience. Students attended mock debates, registered to vote, and then made their decisions in voting booths. They even filed their complete ballots into real machines and were surrounded by League of Women volunteers in case of questions. A few "secret service" agents could also be spotted.

At Rolling Meadows, the results came in 890 votes for Barack Obama and 257 votes for John McCain.

Because it was high school, "Colbert Report" host Stephen Colbert received three votes and Mr. Potato Head got one among the 14 write-ins, said social studies teacher Pat Thorburn.

"Everyone is pretty excited about this election," said Rolling Meadows senior Vlad Voskoboynikov, who also helps out in the 10th Congressional district Democratic race.

Students wearing "I voted" stickers streamed through the halls of Prospect High School on Friday while student journalists conducted exit polling after votes were cast.

Prospect senior Ben Kaplan is an Obama supporter and a huge fan of politics.

"I wake up (in the morning) to see which bills are on the floor of Congress," Kaplan said. "My family is very into politics. My mom's a Republican and my dad is a Democrat. There's a lot of arguments at the dinner table."

High school kids are worried about the war in Iraq and the struggling economy and how that will affect college loans, Kaplan said.

A few Hoffman Estates High School students have been trained as election judges for Nov. 4, said social studies teacher Kimberly Ryon. "Our students are incredibly aware of what's going on."

Obama won the mock election Thursday at the high school with 926 of the ballots cast, compared to McCain's 158 votes.

While Hoffman Estates ballots only included president, U.S. Senate and whether Illinois should have a constitutional convention, students at Fremd High School in Palatine got ballots that better replicate what adult voters will see on Election Day.

"A lot of students see voting as a difficult proposition," Fremd social studies teacher Lindsey Faulkinger said. "Seeing the process through just gives them a more positive mindset."

To see how other suburban high school students voted, check illinoisstudentvote.org

• Daily Herald Staff Writer Ashok Selvam contributed to this article.