FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 20, 2014
CONTACT: Kristen Schulze Muszynski (207) 626-8404

 

***MEDIA ADVISORY***
Students to take part in Mock Election 2014 “Rally and Tally” event Wednesday in Augusta

WHAT: Students at more than 125 schools are casting ballots in the 2014 mock election, for the offices of governor and U.S. House of Representatives, as well as the seven statewide referendum questions. The voting will culminate Wednesday with the “Rally and Tally” event, which gives students an opportunity to collect election results by phone and via the Internet, and report statewide results to the national mock election, as well as to hear from actual candidates for office.

WHO: The annual “Rally and Tally” event will include visits from First Lady Ann LePage, Congressman and gubernatorial candidate Mike Michaud, and Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap. Political commentators Phil Harriman and Ethan Strimling will emcee the event. Elementary, middle and high school students from the following schools will be attending the Augusta event: Fort Fairfield Elementary School, Fort Fairfield; Greater Portland Christian School, South Portland; Harpswell Coastal Academy, Harpswell; Mount View Middle School, Thorndike; Memorial Middle School, South Portland; Sacopee Valley Middle School, Hiram; and Riley School, Rockport.

WHERE: The “Rally and Tally” event will take place at the Augusta Armory, 179 Western Ave., Augusta

WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 22, from 3-7 p.m. (Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap is scheduled to speak at 3:20 p.m., followed by First Lady Ann LePage and Congressman and gubernatorial candidate Mike Michaud. Additional candidates will speak from 3:40-4 p.m. and 4:40-5 p.m.)

WHY: The mock election program engages students in election-related activities, reinforcing the importance of participation in the democratic process. The “Rally and Tally” event brings students together for a chance to hear directly from campaigns, election officials and candidates, to learn about key political issues and how the election process works. Students are also responsible for receiving election results from schools across the state. Statewide results are being provided to the national mock election program for inclusion in national results.

For more information, visit www.maine.gov/sos/kids/mockelection/index.html or contact Kristen Muszynski, communications director at the Secretary of State’s Office, at 626-8404 (office) 441-7638 (cell) or kristen.muszynski@maine.gov.