Before heading to the mock school polls Election Day, Tuesday, November 7, Kathy Tassier's fifth grade class at Cedarville held a lively discussion about campaign commercials. Students said they didn't like negative campaign commercials and noted they saw some candidates at football games or at the school.

The discussion was part of a Les Cheneaux Community Schools effort to engage students in elections, and encourage them "to vote as an opportunity, rather than as a chore," said Elementary School Principal Eric Cardwell. Students learn the significance of elections to the democratic process. Teachers explain the ballot, candidates, and issues to students, who bring their own perspectives from home to school.

Mr. Cardwell and the elementary staff started the elections more than 10 years ago, and the practice has since spread into Cedarville middle and high schools. This year, the elementary provided two ballots, one for the younger students, with photographs of the candidates, and another similar to an actual Michigan election ballot for the older students and staff.

In the governor's race, 56 percent of the school voted for Republican gubernatorial candidate Dick DeVos, while 43 percent voted for incumbent Governor Jennifer Granholm. By contrast, 52 percent of Mackinac County voted for Mrs. Granholm, and 46 percent voted for Mr. DeVos. Students most likely voted like their parents, however, who predominantly live in Clark Township, where 51 percent voted for Mr. DeVos over 48 percent for Mrs. Granholm.

In other races, 57 percent of the students voted for Jay Duggan in the 107th District State Representative race, while incumbent Gary McDowell of Rudyard collected 43 percent of the vote. Sixty-five percent of Mackinac County voted to reelect Mr. McDowell, while only 35 percent voted for Mr. Duggan.

United States Senator: Michael Bouchard - 50 percent, Debbie Stabenow - 43 percent.

37th District State Senator: Jason Allen - 56 percent, Sharon Unger - 44 percent. Fourth District Court of Appeals: Peter Borrello - 33 percent, Peter O'Connell - 67 percent. 50th District Judge of the Circuit Court: Nicholas Lambros - 62 percent, Lyle Peck - 38 percent.

Secretary of State: Terri Land - 58 percent, Carmella Sabaugh - 30 percent, Lynn Meadows - 12 percent. Attorney General: Mike Cox - 68 percent, Amos Williams - 24 percent.

In the proposal elections, students' preferences more closely mirrored the way the county voted, except when it came to the school funding mandate proposal. Sixty-nine percent of the students and staff favored the proposal, compared to 38 percent of the county.

Proposal One (conservation and recreation funds): Yes - 68 percent, No - 32 percent.

Proposal Two (to ban affirmative action ): Yes - 56 percent, No - 44 percent. Proposal Three (mourning dove hunt): Yes - 39 percent, No - 61 percent. Proposal Four (to restrict eminent domain): Yes - 48 percent, No - 52 percent.