In a statewide mock election, Maine students picked Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama by a 2-to-1 margin over Republican Sen. John McCain.

The straw balloting was held in more than half of Maine schools with about 50,000 students in kindergarten through grade 12 participating.

In the U.S. Senate race, students voted for incumbent Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, over challenger Tom Allen, a Democrat currently serving in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Students also rejected a casino in Oxford County, and said no to higher soda, beer and other beverage taxes designed to help fund Maine’s Dirigo Health program.

Maine Secretary of State Matt Dunlap called the mock election “a raging success.” There was one surprise, he said: Students voted for Charlie Summers over Chellie Pingree in the District 1 congressional race.

As the results were tabulated in Augusta and Bangor on Thursday, “students were fired up,” Dunlap said. “They were talking about their candidates, making signs and buttons. It was pretty empowering to watch.”

Schools held elections between Oct. 20 and Oct. 30. The votes were tabulated Thursday night in Bangor and Augusta.

Lisbon High School students held their election Wednesday.

After putting her ballot in the box, sophomore Bailey Keating said, “I voted Republican, all the way down. I don’t agree with Obama. I sort of think he’s a communist. I don’t think Palin’s going to make the greatest vice president, but there’ll be cabinet members.”

Her friend disagreed. “I voted for Obama,” said Alexandria Campbell. “I don’t agree with McCain’s policies on war. I don’t like Sarah Palin very much. I agree with Obama’s ‘spread the wealth’ policy, despite Bailey thinking he’s a communist.”

Many people work two and three jobs to make ends meet, Campbell said. “It’s not just rich people working hard for their money.”

Keating agreed that Obama’s tax plan would be good for older citizens and others earning less than $250,000. “But people work hard for what they have. Everyone should be treated the same,” she said.

Maine schools’ mock election is watched closely by politicians. It has a good track record of predicting how Mainers will vote.

In 2004, Maine students narrowly picked John Kerry over George Bush, 29,907 to 29,861. In the actual election, Maine voted for Kerry. Students that year also voted for U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud over challenger Brian Hamel, and rejected the property tax cap referendum, just as adults did in the real election. Students that year were off on only one ballot issue, the bear baiting referendum, Dunlap said.

“(The mock election) is not exact, but it’s pretty close,” he said. “Kids listen to their parents. It reflects what people are talking about at home.”

At Poland Regional High School, students voted 3 to 1 for Obama, said teacher Kenneth Chutchian. “I hear a lot of support for Obama. … Kids for McCain know they’re outnumbered but are not afraid to express their views.”

Lisbon students had different opinions on questions 1 and 2, the veto on beverage taxes and an Oxford County casino.

“I don’t want more taxes,” said freshman Morgan Reeves. “I don’t want the casino.”

Freshman Cody Donovan voted for the casino. “We’ve been sending our money out of state to other casinos. We should get our money back here.”

Junior Krystal Vye voted to help people get health care through Dirigo Health. “I voted no, which means keeping the tax,” she said. “I’ve been swayed by my parents.”