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That's the result of three mock elections local schools held to help students learn the political process and where each candidate stands on the issues.
Other area schools still are awaiting results. At Hilton Head Island High School, about 61 percent of the 1,011 students who participated in a mock election Wednesday voted for Obama while 32 percent voted for McCain. The remaining 7 percent split between candidates Cynthia McKinney of the Green Party and Bob Barr of the Libertarian Party.
Hilton Head Island Middle School and Heritage Academy tallied similar results.
"I think the Democratic Party appeals more to younger people," said Steve Schidrich, chair of the social studies department at the island's public high school. He cited celebrity endorsements and a "slightly liberal media bias" as reasons for the appeal.
"I always tell (my students), 'When you become a taxpayer, you become a little more objective.' Right now, I don't want to say kids live in a fantasy land, but it's almost like that."
He acknowledged, however, that in previous mock elections, student choices matched those of the popular vote.
NOVEMBER OMEN?
The "Scholastic Student Vote for President," sponsored by the Scholastic Corp., has polled students across the country since 1940.
The results have mirrored the outcome of the general election in every case but two.
In 1948, kids voted for Thomas E. Dewey over Harry S. Truman.In 1960, more students voted for Richard M. Nixon than for John F. Kennedy.
The 1960 vote took place before "the famous Nixon-Kennedy debate that turned the election around," said Suzanne Freeman, executive editor of Scholastic News online.
This year, the Scholastic poll was conducted from the end of August through Oct. 10. Nearly 250,000 students participated.
Obama won with 57 percent of the vote. McCain polled 39 percent. There were some write-in votes for Sen. Hillary Clinton, Gov. Sarah Palin, comedian Stephen Colbert, "my mommy," and SpongeBob SquarePants.
STUDYING THE ISSUES
In the coming weeks, many area schools have mock elections planned while others are awaiting results from online balloting done with other schools in South Carolina.
While many students apparently prefer Obama, Hilton Head Island High School twins Alanna and Alyssa Gillis, both 17, said they want McCain to win because they worry taxes will go up if the Democrat is elected.
"Our grandparents are really not happy (about Obama's tax plan)," said Alyssa Gillis. "I'm scared my college money will be taxed away."
Eighth graders at Cross Schools in Bluffton generally favored McCain for his stance on the war in Iraq or because their parents are voting for him.
"My whole family is Republican," said Alexis Ogilvie, 13, who played the role of McCain in the school's mock debate. "But now I have a reason to be. He's going to save us money and win the war in Iraq."
Though no one in the eighth-grade class initially wanted to act as Obama in the debate, Hector Mendoza, 13, decided to play the part. He said researching the issues has made him change his mind about supporting McCain.
"I don't like the war, and neither does Obama," he said.
No matter which side the children take, Cross social studies teacher Charles Edmiston said it's important they study the issues and make their own decisions.
"They did all their own research (for this debate)," he said. "I'm really proud of them."
