CARLSBAD UNIFIED CONNECTIONS

Democracy in Action

Cameron Dexter Torti, AP Government Teacher

Sage Creek High School

Carlsbad Unified’s Graduate Profile is a living document, describing the attributes of a student who is prepared for success, that guides our instructional program. One descriptor, “Ethical and Responsible Citizens,” envisions that graduates will display “integrity and civic mindedness.” So, in our classrooms, students are taught to value civic involvement through endeavors such as volunteering, serving on a jury, or voting.

With the November election approaching, Sage Creek High School students received a practical lesson in how to become an informed and effective voter. On October 8, AP American Government teacher Cameron Dexter Torti and his class set out to involve SCHS students in a schoolwide and statewide activity – the California Student Mock Election. Students experienced the voting process and learned about civic engagement in a safe, supervised, and objective environment.

An unbiased instructional tool designed for middle and high school students, the Mock Election is facilitated through the California Secretary of State's office. In the past, the Mock Elections at SCHS were limited to the AP Government classes, but this year the students and Social Studies department decided to open it to all students at the school.

“Many of our seniors are 18 and eligible to vote for the first time,” points out Mr. Dexter Torti, “And all students benefit from learning about how the process works.” He notes that “It is important for us to raise awareness with students about voting,” and explains that “Our focus is on the process of voting, not on any particular issue or candidate.”

The AP Government students in Mr. Dexter Torti’s class learned about California’s election process and studied the roles and duties of the President, Vice President, U.S. Senators, and other elected offices. They investigated how Propositions are drafted and added to the ballot, and also reviewed the Propositions on this year’s ballot. Each student chose one Proposition in particular to research in depth, and then shared the pros and cons of it with their classmates. Students were invited to visit other social studies classes to make their presentations on the Propositions – again, informing without promoting one side over the other.

For example, AP Government and ASB student Kailynn studied Proposition 33 on rent control. Then she and her fellow students visited History classes and described both sides of their selected ballot measures. “It has been an interesting experience to study the issues and consequences of the Propositions from both sides,” she reported. “We developed an ‘elevator speech’ to explain what our Propositions were about. We also learned how elections work and what processes are in place to help avoid potential errors and voting fraud.”

SCHS kept communication with families and students clear and detailed. Participation in the mock election was optional, and the classroom presentation of the information for each side was unbiased and neutral, emphasizing the process of voting and the importance of participating in our constitutional form of government. There was no campaigning, lobbying, or promotion of any particular side.

Mr. Dexter Torti’s AP Government students, with the support of the social studies department, communicated with the SCHS students about the election and ran the polls. The Mock Election polling station was Mr. Dexter Torti’s classroom.

Over 600 students chose to vote. They began by signing in with their student IDs. If they had not pre-registered they scanned a QR code to register. Once signed in, they entered the classroom and were directed to a voting booth constructed with manila file folders. There they received their paper ballot, listing the candidates for President and Vice President; for the U.S. Senate, both full and partial terms; and for the California State and San Diego County propositions. Then they marked their preferences on their ballot. Talking was not allowed while a student was in a voting booth.

The marked ballots were collected and logged in by another group of students. Then students counted the ballots with poll watchers observing the process. After the polls closed and all ballots were counted the election results were released.

“Over 71,000 students across the state voted in the Mock Election,” reported Mr. Dexter-Torti, adding that, “Based on conversations during the lessons leading up to and after the mock election, many of our 18-year-olds are already registered and planning to participate in the general election.” “That,” he said, “is our goal.”