McCain, McConnell victorious in mock election

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John McCain and Mitch McConnell were the big winners in Wednesday’s mock elections on campus.
The number of students who voted was up nearly 25 percent from last year, with 227 participants compared to last year’s count of 181.
McCain received 123 votes, with Barack Obama getting 92. Ralph Nader received six, Bob Barr, the Libertarian Party candidate, received one and Constitution Party Candidate Chuck Baldwin received zero votes.

In the senatorial election, Mitch McConnell was victorious with 138 votes, and Bruce Lunsford received 83.
The elections were sponsored through a joint effort between Secretary of State Trey Grayson and Student Government and gave students the opportunity to vote on an actual voting machine.
UK was the ninth stop on the tour of mock elections on college campuses throughout the state, and had the highest voter turn out so far, said Ryan Smith, head of the SG’s National Politics Advisory Board.
“The elections went well,” Smith said, who helped to organize the event. “I was blown away by the amount of interest.”
Smith believes the event is important for students, especially in a presidential election year.
“It showcases the importance of the college prospective in the election and overall voting process,” Smith said.
Dozens of students took the opportunity to become a registered voter in time to vote in the November presidential elections. The deadline to register in Kentucky is Monday.
“One of the most under represented regions in the election is 18-24 years old, which is where most college students fall,” said Derek Hall, special assistant to Trey Grayson. “In order for them to see any movement in legislation important to them, they have to be an active part in the process and the number one way is to vote.”
Political science and Spanish senior Jesseca Johnson was one of the first to vote in the mock election Wednesday morning.
“I think it is important that students are aware that their voting can make a difference,” Johnson said. “It is a good thing to have on campus because if students can get familiar with the process they are more likely to vote in the regular election.”
The mock election also gives elected officials a reason to pay attention to this constituency, according to Smith.
“We wanted to continue this event because a lot of people wanted their voices to be heard,” Smith said. “It is a good indicator of how the student body will vote; it spurs debate and interest in the democratic process and the opportunity that we have to vote.”
Casey Peak, an undecided freshman, said he registered to vote on Tuesday at a registration table set up on campus. He said the mock election and registration drives help students to become more politically involved because it is more convenient.
“I probably wouldn’t have gone out of my way, but with tables on campus it was easy,” Peak said.
Blake Willoughby, an accounting sophomore, came out to vote in the election because he believes it is important to get involved and deal with issues that affect college students. He is a registered voter and thinks that it is something all students should do.
“Voting is an important part of being a citizen of the U.S., to make things better for everyone,” Willoughby said.