Buffalo Deaf School Holds 47th Mock Election
Students at St. Mary's School for the Deaf practice voting through a tradition that has run for 47 years.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Administration
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St. Mary's School for the Deaf in Buffalo, New York, hosted its 47th annual mock election on Tuesday. The tradition lets students, staff, and local public officials practice voting ahead of their own ballots.
Why it matters
For Buffalo families, the mock election is a hands-on way for students who are deaf to learn how candidates, ballots, and the voting process work before they vote for real. The school is state-funded, so the program reflects how New York invests in civic education for its students.
The mock election is the 47th annual edition held at the school in Buffalo. Students, staff, and local public officials may take part each year, and the event took place on Tuesday.
The players
St. Mary's School for the Deaf
A state-funded Buffalo school serving deaf students, known for its long-running annual mock election program.
Eugenio Russi
Buffalo Deputy Mayor who participated in the school's mock election, and whose daughter attends the school.
The details
Students learn about the candidates on the ballot before casting their own votes, which turns an abstract civics lesson into a practical one. Through the mock election, they practice the full voting process from start to finish. The school's stated goal is to prepare students to vote after graduation. Buffalo Deputy Mayor Eugenio Russi, whose daughter attends the school, took part this year.
Timeline
Tuesday: St. Mary's School for the Deaf hosted its annual mock election.
The Home Front
The mock election is a continuation of a 47-year school tradition in Buffalo that keeps civic participation a regular part of school life. It fits a broader pattern in which local schools use voting simulations to prepare students for their first real elections.
If you have a child at a school for the deaf or a school with a similar civics program, ask the school whether students can take part in a mock election or voter education event. Keep track of local school calendars so you know when these events are scheduled.
The takeaway
The school's 47-year mock election shows how a long-running classroom tradition can prepare students for civic life. Families with children in local schools can ask whether similar voter education programs are available.
Further reading
For more on how school programs are run, explore the Administration section for Buffalo.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Wivb4.
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