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Over 730 students cast ballots on top races and state propositions in Pitman High Mock Election
Pitman mock election
Pitman students in Isaac Farhadian’s new Modesto Junior College Dual Enrollment Political Science 101 course right after they voted in the Student Mock Election at Pitman High (Photo contributed).

Students in Pitman High School's new Modesto Junior College Dual Enrollment Political Science 101 course recently joined hundreds of their peers to cast their votes in a campus-wide Student Mock Election. The civic engagement event drew massive participation, with over 730 students turning out to experience the democratic process firsthand.

In the high-profile gubernatorial race, Pitman students overwhelmingly favored Democrat Xavier Becerra over Steve Hilton, with Becerra securing the mock victory by a vote of 448 to 274.

The student electorate also weighed in heavily on a robust lineup of simulated California ballot measures, showing strong support for housing, research and fiscal audits, while rejecting public campaign financing and changes to special tax thresholds. The final tallies for the simulated state propositions include:

  • Proposition 1 (Affordable housing bond): Passed (Yes: 577, No: 152)
  • Proposition 2 (Raise rainy day fund deposit limit): Passed (Yes: 503, No: 225)
  • Proposition 3 (Permanent income taxes on high earners for education/healthcare): Passed (Yes: 485, No: 238)
  • Proposition 4 (Public financing of political campaigns): Failed (No: 399, Yes: 321)
  • Proposition 5 (Delay replacing recalled state officials): Failed (No: 373, Yes: 349)
  • Proposition 37 (Low-cost mortgages for homebuyers): Passed (Yes: 554, No: 168)
  • Proposition 38 (Immunology research bond): Passed (Yes: 505, No: 213)
  • Proposition 39 (Voter identification requirement): Passed (Yes: 371, No: 357)
  • Proposition 40 (One-time billionaire tax for healthcare/education): Passed (Yes: 426, No: 296)
  • Proposition 41 (Audits of new tax programs): Passed (Yes: 362, No: 353)
  • Proposition 42 (Ban new taxes on personal property): Passed (Yes: 428, No: 290)
  • Proposition 43 (Raise vote threshold for special tax measures): Failed (No: 393, Yes: 328)
  • Proposition 44 (Require more clinic spending on patient care): Failed (No: 369, Yes: 356)
  • Proposition 45 (Speed up environmental reviews for housing/infrastructure): Passed (Yes: 409, No: 319)

The mock election capped off a series of educational events designed to prepare students for real-world decision-making. Leading up to the vote, the Pitman chapter of the Civic Leaders of America (CLA) organized a specialized debate convention on campus to immerse students in the election dynamics.

"As Speech Coordinator, it was rewarding to help CLA provide a platform for civic engagement in which students became more informed on current political and social issues relevant to California and our communities," said Andrea Diaz-Topete, CLA Speech Coordinator and AP Government student.

Amrit Brar, President of the Pitman CLA chapter and an AP Government student, emphasized the convention's role in breaking down complex local issues.

"By hosting a Mock Election Con here on campus, it helps bring awareness to youth on upcoming propositions on our ballot before it’s their turn to vote," Brar noted.

For the students enrolled in the new dual enrollment college course, the simulation provided critical insight into the weight of civic responsibility.

"This mock election exercise opened my eyes to how small decisions can have huge impacts," said Political Science 101 student Khloie Almatran. "It also emphasized that young people's voices are the most important, even if they aren't heard as much."

Fellow classmate Areebah Saderkhail agreed that the practice removes the intimidation factor of voting. "Practicing realistic ballots helps show students what it's like when they use their voices to influence their community and gives them the opportunity to see what an election is like before they get the power to vote in the future."

The initiative drew strong praise from the school's faculty, who highlighted the importance of fostering civil discourse and critical thinking on high school campuses.

"I believe it is important for students to learn about civic engagement," said World History teacher Katlin Good. "The Mock Election provides a space for discussion and civil debate on campus that can prepare them for life after high school to make informed decisions on candidates along with propositions that can change our community."

Isaac Farhadian, the Student Mock Election Coordinator and an AP U.S. Government teacher at Pitman, celebrated the social studies department's success in launching the massive effort.

“Providing our students the opportunity to participate in the democratic process is enriching," Farhadian said. "I commend the Pitman High Social Studies Department for making this Mock Election a meaningful experience for over 730 student participants.”