A mock election at Jim Thorpe Area High School has opened up plenty of discussion about politics and the youth participation in the electoral process.

Ron Ellison, a U.S. history, political science, economics and world issues teacher at Jim Thorpe, decided to hold the mock election in order to stir up some interest about the election process, and explore the elements behind it.“We just wanted to give all the students a chance to participate, since most of them aren’t 18, so they have a chance to vote,” Ellison said. “I decided to do it by paper, because I probably would have had a line like Florida if I used just one machine.”Ballots were distributed to each classroom, where all students had an opportunity to vote for president. Ellison sent out his government and politics students to collect the votes, which he would tabulate.The high school’s History Club held a mock debate during the campaign season, which helped to inspire some high schoolers to educate themselves on candidates, platforms and more. Students were divided between Democratic and Republican parties, along with undecided voters. But History Club member Christian Gould, 16, felt that third-party representation was due its soapbox, even if there were multiple platforms to address.Efforts such as the mock election and debate helped to stimulate interest among the students, and got them talking about issues related to the presidential campaign.“The students have opinions, they seem to be paying attention to what’s going on,” Ellison said.Based on the overload of party propaganda, constant commercials, and nonstop coverage, it is easy to see how even those who cannot vote would be overwhelmed with information during the presidential race.“I think they became interested because they were almost forced to,” Ellison said. “It became so consuming. I think teens are probably listening to what their parents are saying, what’s on the news, reading social media. Everyone has an opinion, much more than previous elections. This is an election for the ages. I think they’re going to be writing a lot of books about this thing.”“I think it was a good idea, but I also think that most kids don’t care or know who they’re voting for,” junior and History Club member Alexis Hill, 16, said of the mock election.While most students at Jim Thorpe fall below the threshold for voting, a few did intend to cast their ballot later in the day. However, candidate antics made the decision rather difficult for many first-time voters.“I haven’t decided what I’m going to do yet, because I have strong issues against both of them,” senior Maggie Holloway, 18, said.More education in relation to both big and small government could be beneficial when it comes to stimulating the youth vote. However, it is obvious that the candidates themselves have to change as well, opening up to work with opposing parties and approach topics that others have yet to be effectively addressed.“I understand the whole illegal immigration issue, I can understand where the right wing is coming from,” Gould, who leans to the left, said. “I would definitely like to see a candidate that pays attention to that, but not one that goes ‘whole-hog’ and loses their mind over it.”Both students agreed that the prospect of universal health care, which has been a touchy subject over the years, is something that should be earnestly explored.“I think at this young age, there’s a lot of pressure out there from other people, your parents and family,” Hill said. “But actually learning it and going over it in school, and getting to know what you, yourself, believe in, and what you want for your country, I think that’s definitely going to help in future elections.”