If it were up to Montana's children, President George W. Bush would be president, Democrat Brian Schweitzer would be governor and Rep. Denny Rehberg would continue to hold Montana's single seat in the House of Representatives.

In a mock election Thursday, some 9,000 Montana students voted, casting their ballots via the Internet from the tiny Trinity School with nine students to schools as large as Great Falls High.

When the polls officially closed, and all the votes were counted, students favored Bush over Sen. John Kerry 5,952 to 2,322 and Brian Schweitzer over Secretary of State Bob Brown in a close 3,748 to 3,493 and Rehberg over challenger Tracy Velazquez 5,020 to 2,922.

The statewide project is sponsored by the National Student/Parent Mock Election, a nationwide organization that's aimed at generating civic awareness.

East Valley Middle School served as the statewide election hub, and the school's Web site was the access point for student voting. There, the library buzzed with activity, and on a large overhead screen, middle school election judges updated the tally minute by minute.

"It just kind of makes you feel like you wish you could vote," said Kyleigh Chelini an election judge.

Thirteen volunteer election judges from East Valley's student council had to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, and East Valley Middle School Librarian Judy Salisbury administered the official oath all election judges in Montana are required to take.

East Valley Student Council advisor and computer science teacher Mike Agostinelli designed the Web-based voting procedure, which requires students to log on to the East Valley Web-site and enter an identification number and password.

"We built enough IDs and passwords so that every kid in Montana could vote," Agostinelli said.

Montana's mock election is coordinated by Darrell Rud, the executive director of the School Administrators of Montana. He sent out sample ballots to every school in the state, and in addition to president, governor and house representative, students were asked a variety of questions on topics ranging from homeland security, the economy to education policy.

Before voting, teachers are encouraged to discuss the candidates and issues, using sample ballots and other hand-outs. Children of any age could participate, but most of the questions were geared to middle school and high school age students.

"They're studying the issues, and that's healthy," Rud said.

By the time they're 18, he said he hopes their interest in elections will still be as strong, and this election, he's hoping they encourage their parents to get out and vote.

"And when I can vote, I want my vote to count," student Taylor Kanthack said.

Reporter Laura Tode can be reached at 447-4081 or by e-mail at laura.tode@helenair.com.