Maine students participating in a mock election voted overwhelmingly to pass a new gun safety law and reject a proposal that would require voter identification and make changes to absentee voting.

The mock election Tuesday, hosted by the Maine Department of the Secretary of State, drew participation from 78 schools around the state. Twenty-nine of those schools reported results from 4,254 student voters.

The students weighed in on two referendum questions that will appear before Maine voters on Tuesday. On Question 1, students rejected the proposal 65.1% to 34.9%.

Question 2 would put in place a so-called red flag law making it easier to confiscate firearms from a person in crisis by allowing family members, in addition to law enforcement, the ability to petition a judge for a temporary removal order. 

Students approved that question 79.5% to 20.5%.

This is the first year the secretary of state’s office has held a mock election on a referendum. “Participating in a mock election is a fun, hands-on way for students to learn about voting and our electoral system,” Secretary of State Shenna Bellows said in a written statement.

In addition to the two questions that will be on actual ballots next week, schools also had the option to ask students a third question about whether they believe the language of the Declaration of Independence is still relevant today. That question passed 70.8% to 29.2%.

Maine students have proven highly predictive in past mock elections — they have voted for the successful presidential candidate in every election since 2008, including last year’s. However, in the 2020 U.S. Senate race, students voted for Democratic challenger Sara Gideon over Republican Susan Collins, who ultimately won her fifth term.

At Morse High School in Bath, student organizer Willow Halpin said Tuesday that engagement in this year’s vote was less than in last year’s presidential election. The same trend is expected for the actual election — turnout is usually lower in off-year elections that don’t feature presidential or other high-profile races.

For many students, voting in the mock election was about practicing, and getting to share their voice.

“I’m just excited to see how it will actually be when I’m able to vote,” said Morse junior Laura Kelley.