Mock student voters say yes to I-594, I-1351 and Kilmer for Congress

Students across Washington state — and Bainbridge Island — voted overwhelmingly to approve Initiative 594, which calls for a universal background check on gun purchases, during this year's Student Mock Election.

November 4, 2014 2:26 pm

Students across Washington state — and Bainbridge Island — voted overwhelmingly to approve Initiative 594, which calls for a universal background check on gun purchases, during this year’s Student Mock Election.

Results of the mock election, which included votes from more than 18,000 K-12 students statewide, were announced Oct. 31 by the Washington Office of Secretary of State.

A total of 68 percent of student voters in Washington said “yes” to I-594, and nearly 55 percent shot down I-591, which would prohibit government agencies from requiring background checks on firearms recipients unless a uniform national standard is required.

Students also gave Initiative 1351, which would reduce class sizes, a thumbs up with as 51.3 percent voting yes.

Young voters also voted on congressional races.

In the 6th District, students elected incumbent Democrat Rep. Derek Kilmer over Republican challenger Marty McClendon. A total of 1,366 votes were cast in that race, with Kilmer receiving 56 percent of the vote, and McClendon, 43 percent.

According to the Office of Secretary of State, this year’s Mock Election attracted 18,211 voters (including 2,884 in grades K-5 and 15,327 in grades 6-12), the second-highest turnout in Mock history (behind only the 38,900 mark set in 2012).

On Bainbridge Island, a total of 20 students cast ballots.

I-1351 passed with a 58 percent “yes” vote.

I-591 was rejected, with an 83 percent “no” vote, and I-594 passed with a 88 percent “yes” vote.

Kilmer also won the most votes on Bainbridge; he pulled in 81 percent off all ballots cast. (Sixteen students voted in that race.)

“It’s great that so many students voted in the Mock Election this year and experienced what voting is like,” said Secretary of State Kim Wyman. “The Mock Election is an excellent way to introduce students to voting and why it’s important.”

The Mock Election, held online, began the morning of Monday, Oct. 27 and ended early Friday afternoon on Oct. 31. The annual civics program for Washington students has been conducted by the Office of Secretary of State since 2004.