Newswise — "The Road to White House Starts at Western Illinois University" is not just a snappy saying. The declaration has been proven true twice before, and based on the results of the two previous WIU Mock Presidential Elections (MPEs), the expression is on its way to being an adage. According to Centennial Honors College Director Rick Hardy, one of the individuals at Western involved in organizing the event, WIU's previous two MPEs were the largest and most elaborate mock presidential simulations in the nation—and both yielded spot-on results of the subsequent years' presidential elections.
"Indeed, Western's MPE may even be the most accurate political bellwether in the country. In 2007, Western students accurately elected Democrat Barack Obama president of the United States—one year before it actually happened," Hardy explained. "Recall that leading into the actual Iowa causes in 2008, Hillary Clinton was the prohibitive favorite to win the Democratic nomination, and few if any political pundits believed that an African American could win the nomination, let alone win the White House. In 2011, WIU students accurately predicted a narrow Obama reelection over the Republican ticket of Governor Mitt Romney and Congressman Paul Ryan," Hardy added.
In less than two weeks, staring Tuesday, Oct. 20, students, faculty and staff at Western will embark on the third quadrennial Mock Presidential Election (MPE), titled: "The Road to the White House Starts at Western Illinois University." Hardy said the 2015 MPE will be an entirely student-run activity, which will take place over five evening sessions and simulate the entire presidential selection process, from the Iowa Caucuses and New Hampshire Primary, through the national nominating conventions, to the Electoral College vote.
For a list of dates and events, see the flow chart below or visit wiumpe.com/.
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