Kids Voting
Posted on October 31st, 2008 – 2:15 PMBy Kay Krhin
2.5 year old Ben is decidedly undecided. He’s very neutral on the Presidential Election. He likes both of the candidates.
On Obama: “I like him.”
On McCain, “That man is nice.”
Not so much on the VP candidates.
On Joe Biden. “That man is cross.”
On Sarah Palin - no comment.
He just hasn’t said anything about her.
He has also used the constant election coverage as a “going to bed distraction.” A few weeks ago I said, “Time for bed Ben.” To which he walked to the TV turned it on - plopped on the couch and said. “No, I want to watch Brock O’Mama and John McCain.” Nice try, but - no.
Well, my little guy has a good 15 years before he can really vote, but there is an organization that gives K-12 kids the opportunity to practice casting their ballot on November 4th.
Kids Voting
There are several in the area (St. Paul, Edina, Shakopee, Prior Lake) but Kids Voting Minneapolis is the largest of the Kids Voting affiliates. According to their website. www.kidsvotingminneapolis.org - It is a community-based, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization working to prepare Minneapolis’ 50,000 K-12 students to be educated, informed voters. Part of a national network of independent local affiliates, Kids Voting Minneapolis combines civic learning in the classroom, family dialogue, and an authentic voting experience to prepare the next generation of citizens.
___________________________________________________
VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED ON NOVEMBER 4th AT THE POLLS
For those of you in Minneapolis:
Volunteers Needed
In 2008, our goal is to make sure each and every polling place in Minneapolis is staffed with volunteers to assist youth in voting on Election Day, Tuesday, November 4, 2008 but they need a few more.
• Volunteer shifts are three hours in length
• Volunteers must be at least 16 years old
Volunteers should call 612-729-1963 to find out what times and locations are still in need of volunteer support.
In addition to providing K-12 classroom lessons and activities to Minneapolis teachers, Kids Voting lets students experience first-hand an authentic voting experience by accompanying their parents to their neighborhood polling place on Election Day. Students cast a Kids Voting ballot, voting on many of the same candidates and issues contained on the adult ballot.
This simple act takes the mystery out of the voting process and instills in students a feeling of pride, accomplishment and responsibility that will stay with them into adulthood
Kids Voting Works!
Research confirms that the Kids Voting program impacts voting patterns and civic participation. In communities with a Kids Voting program, political interest among both students and their parents increases. Interestingly, many adults, who otherwise might not vote, are prompted to go to the polls with their children and make their voices heard by voting.
There are Kids Voting affiliates all across the state of Minnesota find out more information at Kids Voting Minnesota.
Newspaper Subscriptions
eEdition
RSS
Newsletters