Mock elections, a first for District 214 Community Education students

Students of District 214 Community Education's Citizenship program, together with their instructors, participated in mock elections for the first time in late October. The elections were 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 the Electoral College, popular and electoral vote," Ewa Crowe, who teaches Citizenship classes, 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 members of 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.

Jivka Petrova, Carinna Tello and Jo Ann Fletcher run the Citizenship program along with Crowe. For more information on the program or assistance to apply for U.S. Citizenship, call Ewa Crowe at 847-718-7730 or email her at ewa.crowe@d214.org.

For more information on League of Women Voters Arlington Heights-Mount Prospect-Buffalo Grove, visit www.lwvah.org.