Iowa Students Held Mock Election in 2026
Students across 94 Iowa schools cast mock ballots for state and federal candidates to experience the election process.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Secondary Education
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In 2026, 11,671 Iowa students in grades K-12 participated in the Iowa Youth Straw Poll. This mock election provided participants at 94 schools with hands-on experience by casting ballots for U.S. Senate, U.S. House, and gubernatorial candidates.
Why it matters
The initiative offers students practical experience in the mechanics of democracy and local civic engagement. This project helps families and educators observe how younger citizens engage with the election process in their own schools.
In the gubernatorial race, Zach Lahn secured 5,658 votes (50.1%) to Rob Sand's 5,635 votes (49.9%), a difference of just 23 ballots. Additionally, Ashley Hinson led the U.S. Senate race with 4,991 votes, followed by Josh Turek with 4,737 and Thomas Laehn with 1,545.
The players
Zach Lahn
A candidate in the 2026 Iowa gubernatorial mock election who received 5,658 votes.
Rob Sand
A candidate in the 2026 Iowa gubernatorial mock election who received 5,635 votes.
Ashley Hinson
A candidate in the 2026 Iowa U.S. Senate mock election who received 4,991 votes.
Josh Turek
A candidate in the 2026 Iowa U.S. Senate mock election who received 4,737 votes.
Thomas Laehn
A candidate in the 2026 Iowa U.S. Senate mock election who received 1,545 votes.
The details
Participating schools managed local voting events where students in grades K-12 cast ballots for federal and state candidates. After the ballots were collected, the school officials aggregated the totals to compile the statewide mock election figures. This process mirrors the official electoral workflow, allowing students to navigate the logistics of registering a vote and understanding candidate races in their region.
Timeline
The Iowa Youth Straw Poll took place in 2026.
The Home Front
This event continues the long-standing tradition of the Iowa Youth Straw Poll as a fixture in statewide civic education. It mirrors broader trends in youth engagement initiatives designed to bridge the gap between classroom theory and the realities of the election process.
Families can discuss these results to gauge how current events are being interpreted within the local school community. Check with your local district office to see if your school plans to host similar non-partisan civic activities in future academic years.
The takeaway
Engaging children in the election process is an effective way to demystify complex political races and foster lifetime civic habits. You can encourage this by discussing the ballot process with your student or reviewing sample election materials from state resources.
Further reading
For more on how local schools handle civics, check out the Secondary Education section.
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