Staff Reports
In a recent mock election across 138 schools in Maine, former President Donald Trump decisively took down Vice President Kamala Harris, gathering a commanding 52 percent of the votes. This isn’t just child’s play—these students have shown an uncanny ability to choose the actual winner since 2008. So much for the notion that only adults can discern between a successful leader and a basement-dwelling bureaucrat.
The mock election results saw Trump dominating Harris, who limped away with a mere 40 percent. The remaining vote percentages were negligible, with independent Cornel West trailing at 2 percent, followed closely by Green Party candidate Jill Stein at 1.9 percent and Libertarian Chase Oliver at 1.8 percent. It’s safe to say that none of them were shaking hands with the voters at the end of the day.
Every 4 years, Maine hosts a student mock election. Maine’s students have accurately predicted the winner in every race since 2004.
Over 20,000 students voted this year and Trump won 51-42. pic.twitter.com/TIN71BvzPV
— Martin Walsh (@MWalshUS) October 31, 2024
Interestingly, the students exhibited a bit of political schizophrenia when it came to other races. While they championed Trump, they seemed less enthusiastic about the Republican candidates for the U.S. Senate and House. The current senator, Angus King, an Independent, received a hefty 43.3 percent of the vote. Meanwhile, Republican challenger Demi Kouzounas pulled a respectable 23.9 percent. Not to be overlooked, independent Jason Cherry and Democrat David Costello had their moments too, but those numbers won’t be winning any awards.
In the House races, the results were just as amusing. Incumbent Rep. Chellie Pingree (D) earned 40.9 percent, while her Republican opponent, Ron Russell, narrowly trailed with 38.6 percent. Even more comedically, they reelected Jared Golden (D) over Republican Austin Theriault in what had to be the tightest of the outcomes—Golden snagged 49.3 percent compared to Theriault’s 48.8 percent. It’s clear: these mock elections not only resonate with the students, but they’re providing inexplicable entertainment to onlookers.
Maine students appear to be paving the way for future elections, even if they’ve flown off on their own political path in state races. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows—clearly getting her daily dose of government propaganda—spoke about the value of mock elections for teaching kids about democracy. Because what better way to educate young minds than by letting them practice for a race where, regardless of choice, they might still end up electing a candidate who pushes a far-left agenda?
Regardless of this oddball twist in Maine’s mock elections, it’s refreshing to see a glimmer of common sense from the younger voters. They might just be testing the waters, but quite frankly, they’ve served up a strong signal. If only the adults in the room could take a page out of their book and recognize when someone is truly winning—after all, it seems like the students have had a gleeful romp with proper judgment here, unlike many politicians today.
