October 7, 2004

Teens meet with campaign reps,
then vote in mock presidential election

California high school students will meet with staff of the presidential campaigns of President George W. Bush and Sen. John Kerry, and then vote in a mock election at a special LegiSchool event, 1 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 14.

The event will be the day after the final presidential debate between Bush and Kerry. It will take place in the auditorium of the Secretary of State’s building at 1500 11th Street in Sacramento.

Students will hear from the campaign representatives about the candidates’ philosophies and public policy priorities. They will also have a chance to ask questions about issues that concern them – from the war in Iraq to the economy to education.

Audience participants will include students from Hiram Johnson High and Rio Americano High in Sacramento, Davis High, San Rafael High, Salisbury High in Red Bluff, Castro Valley High, and Downtown Business Magnet in Los Angeles. Thousands of students around California will view the meeting on the California Channel or on videotape.

Paula Gardner, a professor in Sacramento State’s College of Education, will moderate the meeting.

The LegiSchool Project is a non-partisan civic education collaboration between Sacramento State and the State Legislature, administered by the Center for California Studies. Its mission is to engage young people in the democratic process by creating opportunities for students and state leaders to meet and share ideas on public policy issues affecting California and the nation.

For more information, contact LegiSchool (916) 278-6906 or visit www.csus.edu/legischool. Media assistance is available from Sacramento State public affairs at (916) 278-6156.

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