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Mock Election Simulation

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Mock Election Simulation

A fictional U.S. town is holding an election for one seat on its town council. Read the candidates’ platforms, consider the ballot and election procedures, then complete the questions. Use evidence from the materials to explain your decisions. The candidates and town are fictional.

Issue

Brianna Lee

Casey Rivera

Public transit

Add evening bus service; fund it by reallocating part of the current transportation budget.

Keep current bus hours; study ridership before proposing changes.

Parks

Repair existing playgrounds before building new facilities.

Build a new park in the growing north neighborhood using a bond approved by voters.

Public input

Hold quarterly public forums and publish meeting summaries online.

Create an online survey before major budget decisions.

Evaluate the candidates

Use the platform grid as evidence. A strong choice is based on your priorities and the candidates’ stated positions—not on pressure from other voters.

1.Choose the best definition of a candidate’s platform in this town council election.

A list of policies and priorities the candidate says they will pursue
The location where the candidate gives a speech
A record of how many people voted for the candidate
The rules election workers use to count ballots

2.Match each election role with the responsibility that best describes it.

Voter
Election official
Candidate

Checks in eligible voters and follows procedures for secure, accurate voting
Communicates policy positions and asks voters for support
Makes an independent choice and submits a ballot

3.Which candidate proposes adding evening bus service, and how would that candidate fund the change?

4.Compare the candidates’ plans for parks. State one difference and explain what each candidate proposes.

5.True or false: A voter should be free to choose a candidate without being pressured to reveal their ballot choice.

TrueFalse

Run a fair mock election

For the next questions, imagine your group is organizing this town council election. Apply fair, accessible, and transparent procedures.

6.A voter asks an election worker which candidate to select. What is the best response?

Recommend the candidate the worker personally supports
Explain how to mark and submit the ballot, without suggesting a candidate
Look at the voter’s ballot and make the choice for them
Tell the voter they must explain their choice before voting

7.Fill in the blank: Election officials should apply the same voting rules to every eligible voter to help ensure the process is .

8.One voter cannot reach the table where ballots are handed out. Describe two practical steps election officials could take so the voter can participate independently and privately.

9.After the mock election, a candidate says the count may be inaccurate because several ballots were hard to read. Give two steps election officials should take to address the concern fairly.

Make a civic choice

There is no single correct candidate preference. Your reasoning should be supported by platform evidence and demonstrate respectful civic participation.

10.Choose Brianna Lee or Casey Rivera, or explain why you are undecided. Use at least two specific platform details from the grid and explain which community priorities matter most to you.

11.Name two ways residents can influence local decisions between elections. For each, explain briefly how it could help residents communicate their views.