Resources for Student Civic Engagement

As the 2026 election approaches, Maine educators have access to a range of state resources that help students understand elections, civic participation, and their roles in a democracy.

The Maine Department of Education’s (DOE) Civics webpage, available through the Maine DOE Arts and Humanities Hub, connects educators to free classroom materials, professional learning opportunities, and other resources for teaching government, citizenship, civic participation, and democratic principles. These resources can help educators build students’ civic knowledge while connecting classroom learning to current events and opportunities for community engagement. They also complement student programs offered by the Maine Department of the Secretary of State.

Bring the Election Process into the Classroom

The Maine Student Mock Election gives students the chance to experience the election process while learning about candidates and state and national issues. The 2026 Maine Student Mock Election will take place on October 27, 2026.

More than 21,000 students from over 115 schools participated in the 2024 Maine Student Mock Election. Through the program, students can explore current issues, consider different perspectives, cast mock ballots, and see how individual votes contribute to statewide results.

Educators can visit the Maine Student Mock Election webpage to register their schools and learn more.

The election season also provides an opportunity to help eligible students prepare for voting. Maine residents who are 16 or 17 years old and U.S. citizens may preregister to vote, preparing them to vote in general elections when they turn 18. The Secretary of State’s Student Voter Registration Drive webpage includes resources to help students and educators organize a school voter registration drive.

Recognize Young Civic Leaders

Civic engagement extends beyond elections to include leadership, advocacy, and service to others. The Maine Secretary of State’s Office presents the John Lewis Youth Leadership Award, which annually recognizes one Maine resident age 25 or younger who demonstrates leadership, a commitment to social justice, and efforts to improve the quality of life in their community.

The National Association of Secretaries of State established the award in 2021 in honor of the late Congressman John Lewis and his contributions to the Civil Rights Movement and public service.

Students may nominate themselves or another eligible young person using the nomination form available on the John Lewis Youth Leadership Award webpage. Completed nominations must be emailed to sos.office@maine.gov by October 30, 2026. Nominees must be aged 25 or younger at the time of the award presentation.

Connect Classroom Learning with Civic Life

Resources from the Maine DOE and the Secretary of State’s Office give educators multiple ways to make civics relevant and meaningful for students. Teachers can use Maine DOE resources to build foundational knowledge of government and civic responsibility, then connect that learning to hands-on experiences such as mock elections, voter registration, and youth leadership opportunities. These experiences can also create space for students to ask questions, share their perspectives, and consider how they can contribute to their communities.

Students do not have to be old enough to vote to take part in civic life. They can understand how elections work, examine public issues, practice informed decision-making, and build the knowledge, skills, and confidence to participate in Maine’s democracy.

For more information, contact Geoffrey Wingard at Geoffrey.Wingard@maine.gov.

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