To kids in school, the election is not worthless. Even when I was in HS that wasn't the case, and the article mentions that with college admissions so competitive now, every edge -- including being elected to a student government -- is important.

Even if it's not actually important, it's the perception of importance to the student that matters. The idea that "it's ok to commit fraud if I think it's something important" is definitely one we don't want becoming widespread.