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The Romeo Observer - Romeo, Michigan: Northern Macomb County's weekly newspaper since 1866

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Select an issue from the list below and click "Browse" to switch to that issue. When y ou hav e finished browsing, click the "Return to This Week's Issue" link at the top of the page. Wednesday, January 16, 2013 Browse

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Published at PO Box 96 124 W. St. C lair Romeo, MI 48065. Phone: (586)752-3524 Fax: (586)752-0548 Updated Wednesday, November 05, 2008 at 3 PM EST

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Romeo's first mock election chooses Obama, 51% to 49%

Statewide, Obama leading early Tuesday with 64% by CHRIS GRAY Observer Staff Writer Romeo students chose Senator Barack Obama as the next President of the United States. 2008's historic election was the first time Romeo students participated in the National Student/Parent Mock Election, which gives tomorrow's voters a chance to express their opinion and learn the importance of voting in America. The non-partisan program has allowed students ranging from kindergarten to college-level to participate since 1980. While it is not considered a scientific sampling, schools collectively across the nation have predicted the winner in at least the past three elections, according to several news sources. On Oct. 30, students at the Romeo Engineering and Technology Center went online with special, single-use codes to cast their votes for the president, Senate and House of Representatives. Out of the 102 votes cast by Romeo students, 52 votes were for Obama and 50 for Senator John McCain. This means 51 percent of students who voted were for the Democratic candidate while 49 percent voted for the Republican candidate. A total of 159 students were registered, meaning 64 percent of registered students voted. Romeo High School U.S. History teacher Tim Bussineau said he has wanted to get involved in the mock election for several years but never had the proper time to do it right. This year, with assistance from Oakland University education student Josh Stewart, he was able to bring the election to students, who took over from there.

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Nov. 4 general election results solidify positions School Board addresses public comment policy Washington board sets public hearing on PUD Romeo's first mock election chooses Obama, 51% to 49% Healy Brook Drain bridge expected to be open by today Post office relocation delayed
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C AROL PLAC ENC IA DAVID ELLINGHAUSEN DIANA GANFIELD HAROLD WEIRMIER JANIC E McKONE JOANN DRINKHORN JOHN FOWLER II LAWRENC E PAGE SR. LOIS MATTHEWS LORI ANN ELSESSER LUC ILLE HENSLEY NORMAN TELLER PETER GENERALOVIC H ROBERT WALTON RUSSELL WEYER TYRONE KROETSC H Read More...

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The Romeo Observer - Romeo, Michigan: Northern Macomb County's weekly newspaper since 1866
"Everything that you see was generated by students except for designing the registration ballots," he said. "Ultimately, I hope this encourages students to vote in the future." While the votes don't count toward the real election, it does give students a sense of participation and teaches about the election process, said Stewart. "As a future teacher, I know it's important to do your civic duty, but to see kids who are, even though it really doesn't count, really excited and wanting to be involved is good," he said. Bussineau's classes were given the task of registering voters, getting their name, student I.D. number and their first- and fourth-hour teacher. Students in Bussineau's class received extra credit for every 100 kids that voted. Freshman Troy deHagen said he and his friends registered at least 40 students for the mock election. "A lot of (the students) were talking a lot about the war," he said. "Either that or about Obama's race or how McCain is old." Bussineau said during classroom discussions, issues like the War on Iraq and the economy were the most common concerns for students. "The kids are much more knowledgeable for a presidential election," he said. "It's probably because they're hearing their family talk about it and seeing commercials." Freshman Enea Arllai was happy to cast his vote for Obama, saying he was a big fan of Obama's policies on immigrants. "It makes me feel like I'm a part of something to vote," he said. Freshman Lauren Apley said issues important to her and her family, such as gun control, taxes and abortion inspired her to participate. "I liked the chance to voice my opinion," she said. Bussineau believes the Romeo results were so close because the demographics of the area lean toward the Republican Party. "Knowing the area, any other election I would say McCain would've won, but Obama appeals to the youth," he said. "I think they connect to his speaking style, his

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