As the fall election season gets under way, California Secretary of State Debra Bowen and Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson are once again partnering to give students the chance to test-drive democracy and vote on mock ballots that mirror some of the choices the state’s voters will face this November.

“High school and middle school students are the voters of the future,” Bowen said. “Mock elections are a great tool for teaching the value of civic engagement and encourages students to make voting a life-long habit.”

The mock election, which will be held on hundreds of school campuses throughout California on Oct. 28, will give students the chance to voice their opinions on the gubernatorial candidates, as well as the six ballot measures on the November ballot. Once their votes are counted, students can compare their choices to those of their peers around the state and the decisions made by adult voters when the statewide election is held a week later.

The California Student Mock Election provides engaging, standards-based lesson plans and activities. Participating schools will receive printed ballots and other materials, and then report their results to the secretary of state’s office.

In 2012, students from 735 schools cast ballots in California’s mock presidential election.

Schools that register by Friday will receive printed ballots, posters, stickers and other materials by mail. After Friday, schools can download materials from the mock election website.

For information about the mock election, including teacher resources and prior-year results, visit www.sos.ca.gov/elections/studentmockelection.htm.