The Secretary of State's office is taking a mock election to 12 colleges across the Commonwealth and it's the first time for many of these young voters to have their voices heard.

Before the mock election, some students say they hadn't thought about their vote.

First time voter Ashley Crutcher says, "Honestly if I wasn't part of the school with the elections here and stuff, I don't think I would actually get out and do it. I think this encourages people to get involved and be a part of the election."

At Pikeville College, students cast their ballots for president and U.S. Senate. The school also offered voter registration for students with hopes of getting young people involved in the political process.

Derek Hall, assistant to Trey Grayson says, "By starting the dialogue, having the conversation this far out, a little over a month away. It gets them in the mood, sort of thinking about it."

"I think it's important for everyone to start voting now, realize they have a voice. people think it's not important, but it is. We're just trying to get get them involved," says Miranda Dotson with the Student Government Association.

Student Bobby McKinney says, "People my age are the future of this country and I feel like we have to voice our opinion. We have as much to win or lose in it as anybody else."

Young voters say they are listening, and know what issues mean the most to them on Election Day. Students say energy, the war, the economy, and aide for college are at the top of their list.

Barack Obama won the mock election at Pikeville college, 67 to 65, and Bruce Lunsford beat out Mitch McConnell 66 to 58.

The Secretary of State's office also plans to take the mock elections to high schools across the state.