Iowa Students Held Mock Election in 2026
A total of 11,671 students across 94 schools participated in the 2026 Iowa Youth Straw Poll.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Secondary Education
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In 2026, students across Iowa participated in the Iowa Youth Straw Poll, a mock election designed to provide hands-on experience in the electoral process. Participants in grades K-12 cast ballots for statewide and federal races across 94 participating schools.
Why it matters
The initiative offers students essential insight into the democratic process by allowing them to engage directly with mock versions of real-world races. This practical experience is intended to foster civic engagement and understanding of election procedures among young voters.
A total of 11,671 students participated in the mock election across 94 schools. Zach Lahn narrowly won the gubernatorial poll with 5,658 votes, or 50.1%, compared to 5,635 votes for Rob Sand.
The players
Zach Lahn
He was the gubernatorial candidate who received the highest number of votes in the student mock election.
Rob Sand
He was the gubernatorial candidate who finished just 23 votes behind the leader in the youth poll.
Ashley Hinson
She was the top-performing candidate in the mock U.S. Senate election among participating students.
Josh Turek
He was a candidate for the U.S. Senate who received 4,737 votes from students during the mock election.
Thomas Laehn
He was a candidate for the U.S. Senate who received 1,545 votes in the mock election results.
The details
Students cast ballots for U.S. Senate, U.S. House, and Governor candidates throughout the state. In the U.S. Senate race, Ashley Hinson received 4,991 votes, while Josh Turek secured 4,737 votes and Thomas Laehn earned 1,545.
Timeline
The Iowa Youth Straw Poll took place in 2026.
Culture Shift
This program aligns with the broader societal focus on youth civic engagement through mock election initiatives. It reflects a long-term trend in educational systems aiming to demystify the electoral process for students before they reach voting age.
For students and families, this mock election highlights the educational emphasis on civic participation within the Iowa school system. Participation requires students to engage with current candidate platforms, directly impacting how they learn about political discourse.
The takeaway
Engaging in mock elections helps students develop a foundational understanding of how to research candidates and navigate voting systems. Educators often utilize these results to spark classroom discussions about the responsibilities and influence of individual voters in democracy.
Further reading
Learn more about student involvement in the Secondary Education programs across the state.
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