Wednesday’s mock election in Marshall for three area high schools aimed to instill in about 120 students the importance of participating in the democratic process.

Students went through the experience of going to the polling place, including Lilly Plattner, a junior at Santa Fe. She tells KMMO News some of the most important things she learned from the hands-on lesson.

Plattner credits her teachers at Santa Fe, including social studies teacher Josh Hayes, for preparing her peers for the experience and opportunity to exercise their right to vote.

Students from Malta Bend, Marshall and Santa Fe participated in the mock election Wednesday. The event was organized by Marshall DECA member Michelle Lin and alumnus Jackson Russell as part of the “We Voted Today” project, with support from Saline County Clerk Brittni Burton.