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Valley High School students had some experiential learning on Friday. In the run-up to Tuesday’s general election, VHS welcomed State Representative Debbie Wood and Probate Judge Paul Story to talk about how elections work and host a mock election. 

The high school previously had a registration drive, to get seniors who will be eligible to vote on Nov. 6 registered. 

On Friday, to cement the lesson, the media center held a mock election. Students from all grade levels walked through the process of casting a ballot, as they would at any precinct. The ballot used was a sample ballot complete with all the candidates and the amendment voters will see on Tuesday.

Wood addressed the students to explain what they would see on the ballot. She focused on the amendment, which proposes allowing Franklin County Schools to collect tax on a 225-acre parcel of land to fund educational purposes. 

“It’s called a state-wide amendment,” Wood said. “This state-wide amendment only affects Franklin County.”

The lawmaker asked the kids why something only affecting one school district was on a general ballot, and how they should vote for such an amendment. Wood says a viable option is not voting for the amendment at all, however, suggested they could also vote yes. Due to the process of getting an amendment onto a ballot, Wood says those in the County have already voted for the amendment to pass. 

“The way the Alabama Constitution is set up, if you have CA, which changes the constitution…it goes on a state-wide ballot,” Wood said, adding some exceptions. 

Paul Story, who is the election manager for the county, informed the students how to register to vote. Those over 18 can go to the Board of Registrars or online. 

“Voting matters and voting is crucial to the way our government works.”

The kids went to a table where they had to provide IDs, which could be student IDs for the exercise. Some of the acceptable forms of identification at polling places are driver’s licenses, non-driver IDs, military IDs, and voter cards which can be obtained by the Registrar’s office.  

Once they get their ballots they go to a sectioned-off area to fill it out. They then cast their ballots by dropping it in a box. Their vote was then counted by student volunteers. 

“Do your own homework. Learn what you are voting for, who you are voting for and why you are voting for it,” Story advised.