For some reason, the only mock-election I remember participating in was wayyy back in 4th grade -- Carter and Ford, if I may be allowed to thoroughly date myself.  One thing that I do remember about it is that kids pretty much straight-up voted their families' allegiances.  For example, I voted for Carter, but couldn't have told you why, other than that he was the good guy, and I knew that because my parents said so.  I guess that's a better rationale than some, but I wonder at what point kids start being more thoughtful about it.  Maybe that's what a well-designed mock election can provide.

Far more compelling and educational in my experience was a unit in my 6th-grade homeroom where our class divided up into 3 branches of government, elected a president, and did a simulated legislative process on the subject of the gum-chewing issue (should it be allowed in class, and if so under what circumstances?)  The simulation spiralled wildly far afield, all the way into impeachment proceedings -- and our wise teacher let it run its course and turned it all linto a magnificent learning experience.

though it might have gotten stuck UNDER the table! :-)

I can still remember it clearly.  I was in 6th grade, in Massachusetts.  McGovern won our school in a landslide.  Nobody thought Nixon could possibly be reelected.  I watched the election returns in shock - our blue state was one of the first to report, and Washington DC was also early, so at first I didn't see anything amiss.  And then the whole map turned red.  

In 2004 the thought of Bush's reelection was even more inconceivable.  A part of me refused to believe that anyone, anywhere, would vote for him.  So even with my heightened awareness, 2004 was even more traumatic than that night way back in '72, when my political cynicism began.

I've come around to just enjoying her enthusiasm and gently supporting it. "She will be the first woman president, mommy!"

I hope she can come to be enthusiastic about Obama in the fall.

when the news was reporting that John Kerry was leading in the mock elections. I figured, kids vote the way their folks do... sigh.

DS and his classmates had to divide up into teams representing each party.  This was after the primaries, so each party had a candidate ready to go.  I can't remember the name of DS's party but the platform was ultra-conservative and called for the abolition of taxpayer-funded schooling.  DS was the candidate and, in front of the whole school, had to do a stump speech and take questions from the audience.  Then the whole school voted.

Poor guy, I don't think he got a single vote, but then neither did the student who was George Bush.  The Democrat came in second to the Green candidate.  Yeah, it's a hippie school.

mock elections can be fun, timely, and informative.  especially when students find they must support/defend "initiatives" that are important to them; what's served in the cafeteria, new playground equipment, figuring out how things they want are funded (or could be).
go for it!

Kids Voting.  It is a non-profit. Kids go with their parents to the polling locations and vote age appropriate ballots. It's just pictures of the presidential candidates for young elementary and a full ballot for older kids.

I've volunteered to work the Kids Voting table at my polling place.  It's great fun and the kids are so excited to take their ballot behind the privacy divider and make their choices.

Technically, I cast my first presidential ballot for Michael Dukakis.

Very late elementary school. It was a contest between Bush and Dukakis. Dukakis won in our school...but that's because he won our county. I voted for him because the cute boy that I had a crush on was at the Bush polling table and I could argue and tease him (ie gain attention) if I was on the other side.

Not so much political thought going on there...

My kids have been going with me to the polling place since infancy.  A couple of years ago we lived in a very GOP district that utilized both "kids voting" and the in school program to get kids involved.  I noticed a couple of things that I found unappealing:

1-my kids were heavily influenced by their teachers.  If it had been a Democratic district, I'll bet the GOPer parents would have been screaming bloody murder over the "agenda" and our public school funds being used to further it.  As it was, I had to grit my teeth as I deprogrammed my kids each evening.

2-The kids fought viciously at the bus stop and in on the playground with others.  Kids will fight until blood is spilled when their parents have told them it's O.K. to hate those who vote differently.

3-Voting is an adult privledge, our duty and right. Elementary age kids aren't ready for it.   I think the best example you can set is to take them to the booth and (as I have done with my older kids) take them out to work a campaign.