(DURHAM, October 29, 2004) – Granite State students have cast their ballots for President of the United States and the results show they are as evenly divided as adult voters who have been polled nationally. More than 46,700 students from 141 schools across the state to date have voted in the New Hampshire Mock Election for President, Governor of New Hampshire, and U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives District 1 and 2 seats. During a special event this week, 40 students from several participating schools met at the New Hampshire Public Television Broadcast Center in Durham to tally the votes. Candidates Jeb Bradley and Justin Nadeau came to the station and met with students, and NH Commissioner of Education Nicholas Donohue announced the results.With 71% of participating schools reporting in, the results are as follows (go to www.nhptv.org/mockelection for details):- President George Bush leads John Kerry by 53 votes, with each receiving 47% of the vote and Ralph Nader taking 6%.- Governor Craig Benson received 54% of the vote, and John Lynch received 46%.- Judd Gregg won the Senate seat race by garnering 58% of the vote, while Doris “Granny D” Haddock received 42% of the vote.- Jeb Bradley received 67% of the vote for the U.S. House of Representatives District 1 seat, and Justin Nadeau received 33% of the vote.- Charles Bass garnered 59% of the votes for the U.S. House of Representatives District 2 seat, while Paul Hodes received 30% and Richard Kahn received 11% of the vote.The League of Women Voters of New Hampshire awarded savings bonds to the first place winners of its poster and essay contest, "Why Every Vote Counts,” for students in grades 1-12. The Mock Election encourages students to become a part of the electoral process. Over the past few months, NH students have been researching and learning more about the candidates and issues. 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. Only thirty-seven percent of New Hampshire’s 18-24 year olds voted in the 2000 election compared to 74% of voters age 25+, according to data from the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement at the University of Maryland. The New Hampshire 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 206,000 students from kindergarten through high school; offers Ready To Learn programs and services for children preschool to age 8, parents, and early education professionals; and provides professional development programs and advanced technology training for educators 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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