Third graders at Starry Elementary School are casting their vote today in the presidential election.

Third graders at Starry Elementary School are casting their vote today in the presidential election.

While their voices won’t be counted among the official results this election day, third graders at Starry Elementary School in Marion are nonetheless casting ballots for the presidential candidate of their choice.

The roughly 125 students have created a festive voting booth and have been studying the Democratic and Republican candidate positions, especially in terms of education policies.

Mock voting began at 9:15 and will continue until each student has had an opportunity to enter the booth and vote. Results from the paper ballots will be tabulated prior to the end of the school day. Iowa Independent will bring you those figures as they are made available.

Update: The Starry Elementary students voted to elect Illinois Sen. Barack Obama in their mock election. Obama earned 74 votes. Arizona Sen. John McCain garnered 48.

After school the third graders, smiling from ear to ear for having participated in the process, were sent home with their own “I Voted” stickers.

The mock election at Marion High School also tilted to Obama’s campaign. It is unclear if the older students also donned stickers proclaiming their accomplishment.