Watchung Hills Program Puts Civics Lessons to Work [VIDEO]

A special educational program aimed at helping seniors at better understand the electoral system gave the students perspectives from inside the system, as well as inside the Beltway.

Organized by AP Government students and teacher Greg Krueger, the school joined with Cablevision 's "Power to Learn" program, which not only videotaped the 90-minute program for later broadcast, but also enlisted the help of NBC political correspondent Chuck Todd.

"These kids are a week-and-a-half from graduation," Trent Anderson, Cablevision's vie president of education, said. "To be in a situation where (a presentation) is connected to the real world, whether it's through Chuck Todd, who they will see and hear over and over through the election, or it's local, like Mr. Sordillo (Warren Deputy Mayor Victor Sordillo), is fantastic. The students really grasp it."

The program included a demonstration aimed at helping clarify how the Electoral College works (watch the video for the demonstration), followed by a Q-and-A session with Todd, the NBC network political analyst and commentator frequently featured on programs such as "Meet the Press," and Deputy Mayor Sordillo.

Student presentations also outlined the pros and cons of the Electoral College system, and a final recap urging students to be sure to vote in the fall, including Claire Stomber, who pointed out how issues many students are concerned about could be affected by the election's outcome.

"You can see the social issues are getting a lot of heat in this election," she said.

Sordillo spoke to the students also, giving his perspective as a candidate for local office and how his campaign will focus on people likely to vote.

He said he first ran for public office when he was 21, and lost by one vote. Suppoerters convinced him to order a recount, which added two more votes to his defeat. "I shouldn't have asked for the recount," he said.

But, he said, he continues to enjoy public office and in seeking his next term, knows about 30 percent of his votes will come from voters who vote down the party line. He urged the students to learn more about candidates before giving them a vote.

"It's not what they write; it's not what they say—it's can they answer the questions," Sordillo said. "We do encourage you guys to vote, we do encourage you to ask the questions."

After the program, Sordillo said he was very impressed with the program, which included a voter registration table and absentee ballots the students could use in the fall, whether they are away at college, serving n the military or at home.

"This is a generation that's going to chnage things," Sordillo said. "And it's great because I beleive they're going to change our country for the better." 

The time and date of the broadcast on Cablevision will be announced later.