Eighth grade students at the Conway Junior High School voted in a "mock" election Tuesday morning. At about 9:15 a.m., teacher Ryan Reed ushered in about 27 students who had never before touched a voting machine.

During this week, about 780 eighth graders will vote in the pretend elections. Roughly the same number of ninth graders voted last week, Reed said.

Officials hope the process will teach children about the election process and inspire them to vote as adults.

Students who used the four voting machines Tuesday said they are impressed.

"I thought it was a good experience," said Brandon Stone, 13, of Conway, after he finished voting. "Us kids, we never get to vote very often. It was a chance to learn to vote on the machines."