(DURHAM, January 21, 2004) – Students in grades K-12 from across the state began voting January 12 in a New Hampshire Primary Mock Election that will continue polling until Friday, January 23. More than 48,000 students are expected to participate. At 7 p.m. on January 23, the results will be announced during a special event for participating schools at New Hampshire Public Television. Results also will be posted at the Primary Mock Election Web site NHPTV Mock Election.The New Hampshire Primary Mock Election enables students to learn about the history and tradition of the Presidential Primary in the Granite State and encourages them to become a part of the electoral process. Over the past few months, these students have been researching and learning more about the Democratic and Republican candidates and issues. They have held debates, attended campaign events, written papers and scrutinized the candidates and their responses to student questionnaires. Nicholas Donahue, the New Hampshire Student/Parent Mock Election’s Honorary Chair and Commissioner of Education, calls the mock election “an exciting opportunity for students to learn about the electoral process and to realize the relevance of politics and voting in their lives.”There are now 70 million youth and children under the age of 18 in the United States—the largest ever generation in this age group. New Hampshire’s effort to provide civic education and activities to these school-age youth encourages them to become involved citizens and voters.The New Hampshire Primary Mock Election is made possible in part by grants from the Kidz 1st Fund of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation and the Lane and Elizabeth Dwinell Charitable Trust. It is supported by the New Hampshire Department of Education, the New Hampshire Council for the Social Studies, New Hampshire Public Television, the New Hampshire League of Women Voters, the University of New Hampshire Education Department, and the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at St. Anselm College.Beyond its award-winning local and national television programs, NHPTV is a leader in education and community outreach. NHPTV provides instructional services for 220,000 students from kindergarten through high school; offers Ready To Learn programs for children, preschool to age 12; and provides professional development programs and advanced technology training for parents, educators and child-care providers in New Hampshire and neighboring states. For more information about NHPTV programs that entertain, educate and enrich, visit www.nhptv.org
About New Hampshire PBS: New Hampshire PBS inspires one million Granite Staters each month with engaging and trusted local and national programs and services on-air, online, via mobile, in classrooms and in communities. Beyond its award-winning television programs, New Hampshire PBS is a leader in education and community engagement. www.nhpbs.org
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