What democracy determined
Biden narrowly wins mock election
As the country’s contentious contest winds down today, it’s become clear that though today is National Election Day, we may not receive results on the presidential election for some time. What can be determined and interpreted, however, are the results of Texas High’s mock presidential election; the consensus of 343 votes is a divided student population.
Joe Biden won the mock election. Barely. By just six votes, the Democratic candidate has unseated Donald Trump. After a five-day voting period, the end result has 44% of students polling for Biden and 42.3% choosing Trump.
In an interesting turn of events, the option “I would choose not to vote for President” garnered 11.7% of total votes. Many students, evidently, could not choose one of these candidates, many students explaining why in their responses.
“The candidates are not proving that what they’re saying is going to benefit our country,” one student said. “Also, they have not taken into account the amount of people affected by their plans. They both have catered to a specific audience instead of doing what’s best for the country as a whole.”
Some students were more succinct in their explanations.
“No one because we are all doomed,” a responder said.
While some were left undecided, many were completely convinced. The top reasons students claimed affected their choice were COVID-19 Response, Gun Control, Economy, Abortion Policy and Police Reform. Those who answered the polls were confident their candidate knew best how to handle the issues.
“The candidate I chose is not the best choice. He is simply the better alternative,” a Biden voter said. “The current president we have has responded poorly to every issue we have ever seemed to encounter. His promises are still waiting to be pursued and his threats are still lingering. Biden has recommended many solutions for multiple problems we have been trying to fix while the current president lays it aside.”
On the other side of the aisle, responders were just as strong in their reasoning.
“I do not want a president who feels like it’s OK to take the money (tax at an insanely high rate) of people who have worked extremely hard for their earnings,” a Trump supporter said. “Also I believe that abortion is murder, and as Americans, we have dehumanized the fetus of a human and it is sick to see, and I want a president who believes the same thing.”
The mock election has put students in opposition with each other, and left some startling grade level trends. Juniors and seniors favored Biden while sophomores and freshmen favored Trump. Freshmen were apparently the most unconvinced, holding the largest number of non-voting responders.
“I believe that both candidates have only spoken of their successes and what they want to do. The candidates are not proving that what they’re saying is going to benefit our country,” a freshman who would choose not to vote wrote. “Also, they have not taken into account the amount of people affected by their plans. They both have catered to a specific audience instead of doing what’s best for the country as a whole.”
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