SAINT PAUL, Minn — More than 300,000 students at 528 schools across Minnesota are voting in a mock election leading up to and on Election Day, according to the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State.
Students Voting is an initiative led by the Secretary of State and YMCA Center for Youth Voice to help young people learn how to vote.
At Central High School in St. Paul, 16-year-old Cecily cast her ballot early. The high school junior is looking forward to casting an official ballot when she becomes eligible to vote in a real election.
"I'm very excited to be able to formally participate in this part of our democracy," she said. "It's how you get to put your voice out there."
As of Monday evening, nearly 30,000 students had cast their ballots across the state. You can track the mock election results in real-time by clicking here.
Social studies teacher Stephanie McCleerey has been in charge of the mock election at Central for years.
"It's super important for students to grow up practicing this because research shows that when students go through the process and practice, they're more likely that first time after graduating to cast their ballot, get themselves registered and vote and participate in the process," she explained.
Emotions about the election are mixed and some students are experiencing anxiety, McCleerey said. She added it's always best to lead by example.
"We just try and be good role models, try and alleviate some of the anxiety," McCleerey said. "We aren't maybe gonna know the answer come Tuesday night by midnight, but we're still gonna be here, we're still gonna be in it together."
Seventeen-year-old Brayan said he hopes he can motivate young people to make their voices heard in future elections.
"Not many people vote, especially my age, because they think it doesn't matter or it's not important, but it is important," he said.