AP Government Parties take liberty by storm for elections

By Jillian Deeds and Tatyana Maldonado

Every year, Liberty’s AP Government students take on the task of debating in a mock election in November, where Lancers can vote for their preferred party. The 2024 parties, Pumpkin Party and Moo Deng Party, will be participating in the election on Nov. 5 in the auditorium during Red 1.

The debate will consist of introducing the candidates, opening speeches from both parties, direct debating and discussion, an open mic for students, and then voting. The debate will be directed by Sarah Paulin, staff, and students.

Moo-Deng Party

The Moo Deng Party, led by President Calvin Yates and Vice President Zane Valentine, uses social media icon Moo Deng as their mascot. Many students are familiar with the famous hippo, giving the party an advantage when promoting their campaign.

With their Instagram and TikTok featuring many promotional posts, the party is relatable and funny to many students while still encouraging Lancers to vote in the election.

The party focuses on collaboration and listening to the student body. President Calvin Yates said, “We [make] sure that everyone’s opinions are heard…We stand for fixing problems, the people, and trust.”

The AP Government elections provide students a firsthand look at what a real election could be like, a tool many don’t experience in high school. “I think this ties back to helping high schoolers understand the voting process,” Yates explained, “The real-world effect is that…no matter what party I’m on, I’ll have my voice be heard.”

Yates stated that Moo Deng’s most important policy is their economic policy. Their policy involves lessening inflation, cutting government spending, changing sales tax, and giving more money to the people instead of the government.

When asked about his favorite part of the election, Yates said, “I like seeing everyone put their heart and soul and effort as much as they possibly can into it.”

The AP Government elections give students a new insight into the world of politics. The debate will take place on Nov. 5 in the auditorium during Red 1 for participating Lancers.

Pumpkin Party

Potential President, Senior Aria Fugler, and Vice President, Senior Westin Monson use pumpkins to represent their party. Which includes the Pumpkin Party and the Moo Deng Party.

When voting you want to know what they stand for and what's important. The Pumpkin Party identifies two main stances Proposition 131 and gun control.

Proposition 131 is “taking funding away from public schools, putting it into more like private charter schools,” Fugler said. The Pumpkin Party opposes this proposition because it takes from the underfunded and increases the financial divide. 

The stance the Pumpkin Party takes on gun control is that there should be deeper background checks, a responsibility to parents to teach children about the safe handling of a gun, and the banning of commercialized military-grade weaponry. When talking about gun control you have to take into account the constitutionality of it. The Pumpkin party, “100% support the 2nd amendment,” Fugler clarified.

The AP Government elections are just a project for the class. They are not serious elections. The elected will win bragging rights and five extra credit points on the project. Instead of an electoral college, the AP Government teacher Mrs. Pulin will be counting the votes up. On November 6, during Blue two the outcome of the election will be in the announcements.