This election, some of the region’s most knowledgeable residents will not be allowed to vote.  Over the next week, students in Mark Gorey’s junior English class at Boothbay Region High School are debating the question “Which of the two dominant political parties is best positioned to deliver the American Dream to the most Americans?”

Students have been preparing for the debate for weeks and have been assisted in their research and writing by local Rotarians.

Each student or student group represents a specific political figure or group, such as the The Heritage Foundation and The Center for the American Progress, in the debate. They must each take a stand on the Affordable Care Act, Dennis Kucinich’s Universal Pre-Kindergarten Act and the Bush tax cuts.

The opening remarks began on Friday and it was quickly clear these high school students are better prepared to vote than many voters in the U.S.  

After each student has given an opening statement, there will be a question and answer session followed by closing statements. Like a real election, there will be a winner chosen by Mr. Gorey and Bill Bailey as well as other Boothbay Harbor Rotarians. Al Roberts will be the moderator on October 30.

The debate will continue daily at the Boothbay Region High School library through November 1. The public is invited to attend. For more information, contact Mark Gorey at mgorey@csd3.org or call the high school at 633-2421.

Sue Mello can be reached at 844-4629 or sumello@boothbayregister.com.