Scholars elect McCain in mock election

Tim Preston/The Independent

Frankfort July 08, 2008 11:53 pm

— Sen. John McCain was the most popular candidate among Kentucky’s Governor’s Scholars during a mock election conducted by Secretary of State Trey Grayson on Independence Day.
The mock election took place at each of the state’s three Governor’s Scholars Program campuses as part of a voter registration drive and Grayson’s “Civic Literacy Initiative of Kentucky.” The mock election recorded the choices of 845 students, Grayson reported.
“I am delighted that so many scholars decided to participate in the mock election and that we were able to register so many students to vote in time for the November election,” said Grayson, who is the state’s chief election official. “It is important for everyone to examine candidates for public office and to make their voices heard. One vote can make a really big difference.”
McCain, a Republican, received 49.4 percent of the GSP vote, compared to 46.9 percent for Democrat Barack Obama.
The remaining votes were divided between Independent candidate Ralph Nader,with 1.54 percent of the vote, Libertarian Bob Barr with 1.3 percent, Constitution Party candidate Chuck Baldwin with .82 percent and Green Party candidate Cynthia McKinney with .12 percent.
Staff members for the Office of the Secretary of State were at each campus to demonstrate one of Kentucky’s typical electronic voting machines, help first-time voters register in their home precincts and answer questions about the electoral process.
“By involving students in the democratic process, we wish to energize young people to vote, but also remind their family and friends about the importance of voting in this year’s general election,” Grayson said.
TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2651.