Ordean East Students to Hold Mock Election November 3

Students will learn about voting and local ballot questions at the Duluth middle school on November 3, 2026.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Secondary Education

Screen-print poster illustration of a simple ballot box and privacy partition, representing a mock election classroom event. — Ordean East Middle School students will participate in a mock election on November 3, 2026, to learn about democratic processes. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should middle schools hold mock elections to teach students about the democratic process?

Ordean East Middle School students will participate in a mock election on November 3, 2026. This educational event allows students to practice voting while learning about the mechanics of the democratic process and local ballot initiatives.

Why it matters

By familiarizing students with election logistics in a controlled environment, teachers aim to reduce voting intimidation and help them understand the real-world impact of midterm elections on their local community.

The school contributes results to a statewide database that collects input from over 200 participating schools. Students will engage with the process on November 3, 2026, alongside their regular social studies instruction.

The players

Ordean East Middle School

A Duluth middle school that facilitates student participation in civic engagement programs and mock elections.

Duluth Public Schools

The local school district that is the subject of a referendum question currently being reviewed in student social studies lessons.

The details

Social studies classes at the school are structured by grade level to cover different tiers of government, with sixth graders focusing on state races, seventh graders on national contests, and eighth graders on global midterm perspectives. As part of the program, students receive direct instruction on how to register to vote, how to evaluate the reliability of sources, and how to avoid misinformation. The curriculum also includes a dedicated lesson on the Duluth Public Schools referendum question to help students connect the ballot process to their own school environment.

November 3, 2026: Students participate in the mock election.

The Home Front

This program aligns with broader state-level civic engagement standards in Minnesota aimed at increasing youth voter turnout. It represents a shift toward practical, hands-on learning in secondary education that connects classroom social studies to local policy decisions.

Parents can support this learning by discussing the Duluth Public Schools referendum question with their children before the November 3 event. Using this mock election as a conversation starter helps students apply classroom lessons about reliable sources and voter registration at home.

The takeaway

Engaging students in the mechanics of voting early helps demystify the election process and builds confidence for future civic participation. Parents should ask their children which issues they found most compelling during their mock election activities to keep the conversation going at home.