ALLEGRA BOVERMAN/Staff photo. Gloucester Daily Times. Students at Memorial Elementary School in Manchester were participating in a mock Election Day the friday before Election Day in November. First grader Dominic Tiberii, standing high on a stepstool to reach the voting booth, casts his vote for president. President Barack Obama won amongst the student population, over candidate Mitt Romney.

"The mock elections held at Manchester Memorial Elementary School were a joy to behold. The voting booths were lent by the town and some pupils needed stepstools to reach the writing surface. They had enthusiastically studied all the platforms, researched all the candidates, learned about the process. The library was decorated for the occasion, including lots of books on display about the presidents, the electoral college and other voting topics. One student had to vote before leaving early; for that moment, the library was silent and nearly empty. He carefully stepped up onto the stool and spent some time considering his vote. Doing one’s civic duty, no matter how young, delighted me."

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