The Leader & State Register

SEAFORD — First-graders at Frederick Douglass Elementary School in Seaford got a head start on Election Day, casting ballots Monday in a mock vote to elect the next U.S. president.

About 80 students from four classes armed with voter registration cards and student identification cards were certified by election official, Frederick Douglass principal Kelly Carey, before stepping into the makeshift voting booth in the main lobby to decide on Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama.

This election was developed and put together by the first-grade teachers at Fred Douglass.

"We are encouraging them (students) to go with their parents to their voting place," said first-grade teacher Kathi Adams, adding students know that voting is a right of citizens in America. "And they know this is private. What you think, you keep it inside you."

"I think the earlier they begin to learn political process and what it takes to maintain a democracy, the better," said Mr. Carey. "I think it is a wonderful opportunity to open their eyes to the world of their parents, and the responsibilities that their parents have.

"The teachers here have really gone out and done a lot of work in preparing for this," Mr. Carey said.

Results of the vote were to be tallied and announced Wednesday.