FORT LAUDERDALE, FL -- The students of Broward County Public Schools have spoken and President Barack Obama has been elected the winner of Kids Voting Broward 2012. Nearly 100,000 votes were cast by Broward County public school students through Virtual Counselor’s online poll as part of Kids Voting Broward’s (affiliated with Kids Voting USA) initiative to prepare young Americans to be engaged and active citizens.
Students, kindergarten through 12th grade, were able to cast their votes for all major races, from the President, U.S. Senate and House to County Commission from October 26 to November 5.
A total of 99,485 students participated in the 2012 election project. President Barack Obama received 82,592 votes, or 82% of the votes cast, to former Governor Mitt Romney’s 17,893 (17%), according to Kids Voting Broward. Other results include Bill Nelson winning the U.S. Senate seat with 58% of the votes and U.S. Congressional seats going to Alcee L. Hastings (64%), Ted Deutch (58%), Lois Frankel (69%), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (61%) and Stanley Blumenthal (47%).
Students also weighed in on several local school topics created for each grade level (elementary, middle, high). Elementary school students agreed their school should have an air-conditioned gym with an overwhelming 88% voting yes, while 87% also thought they should be able to choose to eat lunch inside or outside with their friends.
Middle school students voted yes by 74% that study hall should be offered as an elective to accommodate students’ busy schedules, and that they should be allowed to use vending machines during the school day (by 90%).
High school students, by a slim margin of 51%, voted no to the state continuing class size requirements at a cost to taxpayers, while deciding school lunches should include more healthy options, even at a higher cost by a 69% yes vote.
For full Kids Voting Broward elections results, tune in to live elections returns on BECON-TV, Comcast Cable Channel 19 and Channel 63 on Direct TV, Dish Network, and AT&T U-verse tonight, November 6, beginning at 7:30 p.m.
