Great Bend High School Government students had the opportunity to experience democracy in action during a Civic Engagement presentation and mock election held this week. The event, presented by the League of Women Voters, offered students valuable insights into the voting process and the importance of civic engagement.
A highlight of the day was a mock election demonstration led by Barton County Clerk Bev Schmeidler and her staff. Using electronic voting machines, students gained hands-on experience with the same technology they will encounter at the polls, making it a meaningful “practice run” before they become eligible voters. While the ballot question wasn’t a serious matter, students from Michelle Moore and Carol Pfannenstiel’s government classes at GBHS participated in the event, along with visiting government students from Ellinwood High School.
“This experience is about more than just casting a ballot on the light-hearted topic of cat or dog,” said Moore, GBHS Government teacher. “It’s about preparing students to be informed, engaged citizens who understand the role they play in shaping their communities and their future.”
The timing of the event provided a strong connection to Freedom Week, Constitution Day, and National Voter Registration Day, helping students see how classroom learning ties directly to their civic responsibilities.
Election information was presented to about 175 students from GBHS and another 44 from Ellinwood.
“This is an important service and we appreciate the LWV and our school districts allowing us to participate. We want to get the young people interested in doing their civic duty,” Schmeidler said. “Voting is simple and it doesn’t take much time.”
“It’s pretty exciting,” said Janice Walker, local League president. “We want to talk about the importance of voting.
“It’s important to get them involved early,” Walker said. “We need the input of younger voices to be heard. We need them to understand how government works and get involved.”
This is crucial at all levels of government, but Walker said it is the local level where most day-to-day matters like street improvements and taxes are decided.
“In local elections, the people running are our friends and neighbors.”
“These students, on the tail end of Gen Z, need to understand what is at stake,” Walker said.
In the recent Great Bend City Council primary election, only 374 out of 2,700 eligible voters cast ballots, for a turnout of about 13%, Schmeidler said. They hope to improve these numbers with such outreach efforts.
“These are the people you directly elect, and they are making decisions for your life,” Schmeidler said. “It’s important that we all understand the impact that local elected officials have on our communities and our lives.
The League has taken its message to schools countywide for several years. This marks the second year they’ve invited the Election Office.
Now, Schmeidler and Walker said they are trying to arrange a similar team-teaching experience for students in Hoisington and Claflin later this fall.
Source: This story combines information provided by Andrea Bauer at Great Bend USD 428 and Dale Hogg with Barton County.
