Steve Pokin

SPOKIN@NEWS-LEADER.COM

Republican businessman Donald Trump on Thursday became the 45th president of the United States, capturing 75 percent of the vote, crushing Democrat Hillary Clinton, who received a paltry 13 percent of the electorate.

The voting was among sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders. It took place at a mock election held at Mt. Vernon Middle School.

I was unable to reach either Trump or Clinton for comment for this story.

But that's because I didn't try. And the reason I didn't try is because I've watched all three debates and am so depressed I can barely get out of bed in the morning — let alone make long-distance phone calls.

Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson received 18 votes; Green candidate Jill Stein received 15 votes; and six ballots were deemed invalid because the voter marked more than one candidate.

Students, teachers, administrators, janitors and cafeteria workers voted.

"We tried to make it as realistic as possible," said Kelley Beckner, the social studies teacher and football coach who spent two weeks preparing students for this valuable civics lesson. They even filled out real voter registration cards.

They also watched shortened 40-minute versions of the first two presidential debates in class and were planning to watch Wednesday night's No. 3 in class on Friday.

To start the process, students completed a 10-question survey asking for their political views. It is offered on the website I Side With.

The survey includes questions on gay marriage, abortion, immigration, welfare, raising the minimum wage, the Affordable Care Act and should a photo identification card be required to vote.

Here in Missouri, lawmakers in September overrode Gov. Jay Nixon's veto of a law requiring a photo ID to vote. But before it's implemented, the measure must be approved by voters on the day of the real election: Nov. 8.

But it was the law of the land within the confines Mt. Vernon Middle School on Thursday. Student election judges were there to enforce it.

Not to worry. Students had created their own photo IDs beforehand.

And just like in a horse race, by noon Trump had galloped off to an early lead of 118-21.

OK, let me be honest. I've always thought a horse race analogy for the counting of votes on Election Day was stupid. But in writing this column, I was informed by Political Pundits Local #678 that its use is mandatory.

As a journalist, I was given rare access to the process Thursday. I also had rare access to the contents of the ballot box, which I kept sacred, despite being a Chicago native.

The main objective of the mock election was to expose students to national issues and to get them to think independently, Beckner said.

"Most of what they have been told is from pastors, parents and teachers," he said.

"A lot of them did not know what abortion was. They did not know that gay marriage was a big deal. They did not know about immigration."

The day before the election, students wrote an essay stating who they supported for president and why.

(For the record: Although Trump is trailing in national polls, he is ahead in Missouri by about 5 percentage points.)

In my own exit polling, I interviewed six students and they all supported Trump, including these 12-year-old seventh-graders.

"I voted for Donald Trump because immigration is a really big thing and I think we should not allow it because ISIS will just come in and start hurting people," said Douglas Schaedler. "We have to build a wall along Mexico because ISIS can get to us that way. I agree with Trump on a lot of things — especially gun rights."

"I voted for Trump for gun control and abortion," said David Weaver. "I just think we should have less gun control and they should not kill the children that are about to be born."

"Trump. Because he is a businessman and he can run companies better and get people more jobs," said Trinity Stacy. "I also agree on abortion because we should not take a child's life like that."

"Trump, because he is pro-life on abortion," said Matt Milsop. "And he wants to increase military spending. He is a businessman who turned his father's million dollars into a billion and he is more likely to improve our economy."

"I voted for Trump. I really don't know why," said Hannah Day. "I kind of voted for what my parents would want because I don't want them to be upset with me."

I was tempted to announce in a booming voice, right in the polling place: Has anyone here voted for Clinton? Has anyone even thought about voting for Clinton? You know, the woman?

But I didn't. Electioneering is a crime.

Finally, I also interviewed Mason Ballay, a 14-year-old eighth-grader. The result was the same: The Donald.

"I think he is going to secure our border like the way we need to," he said.

So there you have it. You heard it here first. Trump in a landslide.*

*At Mt. Vernon Middle School.

These are the views of Steve Pokin, the News-Leader's columnist. Pokin has been at the paper 4½ years and over the course of his career has covered just about everything — from courts and cops to features and fitness. He can be reached at 836-1253, spokin@gannett.com, on Twitter @stevepokinNL or by mail at 651 N. Boonville, Springfield, MO 65806.