School for the Deaf Holds 47th Mock Election
Students at St. Mary's School for the Deaf in Buffalo took part in the school's annual mock election on Tuesday.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Administration
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St. Mary's School for the Deaf in Buffalo hosted its 47th annual mock election on Tuesday. Students, staff, and local public officials may take part in the election each year.
Why it matters
The mock election gives students hands-on practice with the voting process and the candidates on the ballot. The school says the goal is to prepare students to vote after graduation.
The mock election has been held annually for 47 years at St. Mary's School for the Deaf, a state-funded school in Buffalo. The source does not report vote counts or results.
The players
St. Mary's School for the Deaf
A state-funded school in Buffalo, New York, serving students who are deaf.
Eugenio Russi
Buffalo's Deputy Mayor, who participated in the mock election and whose daughter attends the school.
The details
Students learn about the candidates on the ballot and practice the voting process as part of the election. Buffalo Deputy Mayor Eugenio Russi, whose daughter attends the school, participated in this year's vote.
Timeline
Tuesday: St. Mary's School for the Deaf hosted its 47th annual mock election.
Culture Shift
The school's 47-year mock election tradition shows how civic education for deaf students in Buffalo has been built into the school calendar over nearly five decades. Its continued participation by a deputy mayor and public officials links the school's civics lessons to local government.
Buffalo families with children who are deaf can see how the local school teaches students to take part in elections. The school's public-official participation shows residents a direct route into civic life.
The takeaway
Civic participation can be taught early through practice, not just explained. St. Mary's approach shows how repeated, hands-on exposure to voting can build familiarity with the process.
Further reading
For more on how schools handle civic education, see Administration in the education section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Wivb4.
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