As Secretary of State one of my most important duties is to educate Arkansas’s citizens about the electoral process. In keeping with this I am pleased to present this online voting system for the 2006 National Student/Parent Mock Election. It is designed to help participants with the voting process and to teach them benefits of civic participation by involving them in realistic simulations of all aspects of the electoral process.

The Mock Election makes students aware of the power of their vote by actively involving them in a full-fledged election. In similar fashion, the Mock Election Issues Forum broadens students' understanding of essential U.S. social and economic issues. Curriculum materials are used to instruct students about the electoral process, to discuss key issues in national campaigns and to prepare them to take part in the Mock Election. Students of all ages from kindergarten through high school are allowed to participate and vote.

Candidates and issues to appear on the Mock Election ballot in Arkansas will include all of the statewide races as well as the proposed Constitutional Amendments for the State of Arkansas. All Students will vote on the same statewide ballot. Many students will cast their votes online, which will allow them to be instantaneously tabulated into the final totals. Others will cast their votes in the classroom and the results called in to the state headquarters at the State Capitol on November 1. Votes will be tallied between 12 and 3 pm with a reception at the state capitol starting at 2 P.M. Arkansas's results will be available after 4 P.M.

Charlie Daniels
Arkansas Secretary of State