The National Student/Parent Mock Election seeks to turn the sense of powerlessness that keeps young Americans and their parents, too, from going to the polls into a sense of the power of participation in our democracy. Note that it is this same sense of powerlessness, psychologists tell us, that is the root cause of violence. One of the most important ways to increase young people's sense of significance - and power - is to use the Mock Election to take them out of the classroom and into the real world.

Parents in some school districts vote with the students on Mock Election Day, if they wish, and help plan and participate in Mock Election events, registering the younger voters, helping to decorate for the school's Mock Election event, etc. Research has proven that parents involved with their children at school have a significant impact on school achievement. Encourage your children's schools to become involved in this hands-on experience in democratic participation. Discuss the candidates and discover your children's feelings about the national issues.

The National Student/Parent Mock Election began as a project designed to use TV dramas to open communication between parents and children. We soon discovered that the elections were a huge national drama that enabled parents and children to talk with not at each other. Try it! Above all express your determination and belief in the importance of voting and participating in our democracy.