CREST HAVEN — With an above average voter turnout of about 65 percent, students at Cape May Tech overwhelmingly elected Barack Obama the next president in a mock election Monday, Oct. 27.
Student voters also returned incumbent U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-2nd) to Washington with a comfortable margin over David Kurkowski, his Democratic challenger.
According to a release, more than 450 students waited in line and entered a real voting booth to cast ballots after having their name and identity validated.
About 55 percent of votes, 251, went to Democrat Obama with Republican candidate McCain garnering 165 votes. Another 21 votes were cast for Ralph Nader with a smattering of votes for other third party candidates.
Comments from students who participated in the mock election ranged from “powerful” and “cool” to “extraordinary.” Some students said they decided to vote for McCain because he is a war hero and understands the problems of America. Others said they were voting for Obama because he is African-American, or he is young and has a lot of good ideas to help America.
Chances are, if this had been a real election, Republican Senate candidate Dick Zimmer would be asking for a recount after losing to Sen. Frank Lautenberg by only three votes, 73 to 70.
Locally, Republican Gary Schaffer bested George Hallett, a Democrat, by seven votes, 38 to 31.
Freeholders Daniel Beyel and Ralph Sheets, both running unopposed, were also re-elected.
