Oakland County, Michigan, May 2, 2006 -- Oak Park, as their parents were voting on school board candidates in another room, students at Francis Scott Key Elementary contemplated a little different ballot.

The big winner? Tug-o-war.

The Oak Park elementary school - which asked the students to vote on their favorite field day activities - was the first to hold an election held as part of Project V.O.T.E. (Voting Opportunities Through Education).

Created by Oakland County Clerk/Register Ruth Johnson Project V.O.T.E. saved hundreds of "gently used" voting machines from landfills and recycled them for use in the classroom.

The federal Help America Vote Act (H.A.V.A) required Oakland County communities to use a single, standard voting system. As a result, hundreds of voting machines in use became obsolete.

At the school Tuesday, 152 students cast their ballots. Johnson helped out and talked with students as they voted.

"This helps take the mystery out of voting," Johnson said, as students fed their ballots, one by one, into the voting machine. "What a great lesson in democracy."

She commended local clerks.

"Clerks donated their voting machines and even volunteered their time to help train teachers," Johnson said. "It shows their dedication and commitment to kids."

Of 10 suggested activities, the tug-o-war was the top vote-getter (114 votes) followed by the basketball shot (92 votes), the relay race (62 votes) and finally the obstacle course (59 votes).

The big loser?

A field day staple - the potato sack race - which garnered only 34 votes. Other events that didn't make the cut included the beanbag toss and a Hula Hoop contest.

The top-four vote getters will now be included in Francis Scott Key Elementary's May 30 Field Day, said election coordinator, educator Embekka Thompson.

"Sometimes voters in lower socioeconomic groups are less represented in voting," Thompson said. "I wanted the kids to get started early and learn how important it is. They can think, my vote did make a difference, I voiced what I wanted."

She said the May election was a trial run for a second election planned for November. Still, there were great lessons to be had.

"They learn that you don't get everything you want, but you still have a voice," she said. "I heard one student say, 'I want to vote in a real election.' You know, we had always planned Field Day for them and never asked them. Now we do. How often do kids get a say?"

Taveda Mayes, 11, a fourth grader, wouldn't reveal her votes, but she was happy she got a chance to cast her ballot. "I can't tell you that!" she said, when asked about her choices. "I picked the stuff I love to do on Field Day."