If I could play the “Jaws” theme song, I would, but all you civic-minded readers already know that tomorrow is Election Day. Hopefully, you’ve already crammed that absentee ballot in a drop box or strategized your trip to the polls. But have you taken a minute to think about the people who can’t vote?

Well, thankfully the Seattle P-I (as well as many thoughtful teachers) did. Apparently, multiple schools throughout the Puget Sound area have taken to engaging students in the 2008 election by assigning them campaigns—be it president, governor or the superintendent of public instruction—to run on campus. These students are among the thousands of Washington students who can't legally vote, but are expressing their views by campaigning for candidates in school or participating in national or state mock elections.

“The Washington Assessment of Student Learning is a hot topic, particularly in the race for state school superintendent,” said Ellyn Roe, an 8^th grade social studies teacher helping students run their own campaigns in Burien.

Students campaigning for incumbent Terry Bergeson have played up her plans to shorten the test, while Randy Dorn's crew has been running an in-house TV ad with the tag line "A vote for Randy Dorn is a vote against the WASL."

"That one definitely hits close to home," Roe said. "There's been a good, healthy debate."

I certainly remember how frustrating it was not being able to vote or deeply explore political issues as a younger student, which is why I can’t think of a more relevant or effective way to engage students in curriculum.

To learn more about the mock elections held for students across Washington state, visit the Secretary of State’s website.