Election Day at Park

The Upper School Student Government sponsored a wonderful Election Day at Park. Students had an opportunity to cast their votes in a booth custom-built by students and faculty, and were given a choice between voting the Democratic, Republican, or Independent candidates.

MS. AJA EXPLAINS THE VOTING PROCESS TO THE FIRST GRADE

The process was replicated in fourth grade as well, allowing our lower school students to exercise some Chicago-style politics ("vote early and often"). The voting process represents the culmination of myriad lessons and conversations that have been happening through the school regarding this historic election.

MRS. WOODS EXPLAINS VOTING ETIQUETTE TO A SECOND GRADER

At the end of the day the upper school ballot, which consisted of several long rolls of craft paper, was analyzed by upper school students. As much as they had thought through the design of the process and as clearly as they thought they had explained it, students were surprised that they had some voting irregularities. The true implications of "Butterfly Ballots" and "hanging chads" became very real.

BALLOTS UNROLLED AND READY FOR ANALYSIS

Nonetheless, the USSG was able to quickly announce the following statistics:

87% of Park students voted
5% voted for an Independent candidate
21% voted for the Republican candidate
75% voted for the Democratic candidate