BIDDEFORD — Dozens of voting booths lined the perimeter of the room. Pencils and stacks of paper sat idly, waiting. 

The voters — the fourth- and fifth-graders of Biddeford Intermediate School poured in, classroom by classroom, to cast their ballots on Tuesday, ultimately electing former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton the next U.S. president in a mock election. 

Students voted 201 to 95 to elect Clinton over Republican candidate Donald Trump in the election, which served as the culmination of their studies on the electoral process.

The students also re-elected incumbent Democratic Rep. Chellie Pingree of Maine’s 1st congressional district 160 to 140 over her challenger, Republican Mark Holbrook.

Since September, during their reading classes, the students of BIS have been studying everything about elections. They’ve learned how the voting process works and learned what makes someone eligible to vote. They’ve also studied what qualifies someone to run for president and the path to the 270 electoral votes need to win the race. 

“We’ve looked at both sides of the major candidates and we’ve studied their issues, and from there the students decided who they supported based on the issues,” said Lynn Drapeau, a fourth grade teacher at BIS who coordinated the mock election. “They’ve been been looking forward to this day especially because we’ve tried to set it up like a real, live election.” 

And in many ways, it was. 

As students filled the room, they took to the polls, casting their ballots and turning them in for a chance to see their favorite candidates win the election. On their way out, students received “I Voted” stickers to signify they took part in the election. 

The purpose of the election, Drapeau said, was not only to inform students about the voting process, but to get them thinking about politics at a young age so they’ll grow up to be informed voters. 

“It’s just like looking at a career: you don’t start in college; you start beforehand,” Drapeau said. “In two elections from now, some of these students will be able to vote. Some will be 18, and so we start at this age. 

“To build that foundation of what our country is built on — the privilege to be able to vote — sets that foundation so that, later on, they’ll know what to look for in a candidate,” she added. 

Several students participating in the election agreed it is important to vote for many reasons, most notably for reasons of freedom and safety.

“If we don’t vote, a person called a dictator or king will take the place of president and we will have to do what they say,” said Aden Dube, 10, dressed as Uncle Sam. 

“You want a good future and your children to be safe and not in a war,” said Tabrea Richerson, 9. 

Drapeau said that, while the students’ political opinions may not yet be fully developed, it is important to stress the issues in an election over the candidates themselves  — something she said is often overlooked during election cycles. 

“Some people are hardcore Democrats or hardcore Republicans and you can find a little bit of something you like in each side, but try to find someone who truly matches your beliefs and your values and go with that person rather than going with a party,” she said. 

Biddeford School Superintendent Jeremy Ray said Tuesday he believes holding mock elections of this type is an important lesson for students, especially due to the inundation of election coverage on television in recent months. 

“Now, they get an opportunity to learn about the process, interact with other students and it’s just a great civics lesson for them,” Ray said. 

Ray also stressed the importance of motivating youth to vote, saying it’s essential to the country’s future. 

“Any time we can motivate our youth to be excited about the electoral process, be excited and interested in the process, even starting at a young age, we know that’s a win for our country long-term,” he said. 

— Staff Writer Alan Bennett can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 329 or abennett@journaltribune.com.