|
|
Kids Voting Massachusetts
What is Kids Voting?
Kids Voting is a private, nonpartisan, nonprofit, grassroots organization
dedicated to educating America's youth about the importance of being
an informed citizen and the responsibilities of voting to sustain
democracy. Teachers in grades Kindergarten through 12 incorporate
lessons tailored to different ages through Civics Alive!, the Kids
Voting USA curriculum, and students "register" to vote
in the classroom. On Election Day, students go to the polls with
a parent, guardian, or other adult.
How did Kids Voting get started?
Kids Voting began in 1988 in Phoenix, Arizona. The program began
expanding nationally in 1992. Today 40 states use the Kids Voting
Curriculum, Civics Alive! in their schools. The program reaches
5 million students, 200,000 teachers, 20,000 voter precincts, 80,000
volunteers and 9,000 schools.
Where did the Kids Voting Massachusetts
project begin?
The City of Quincy first participated in Kids Voting in 1995. Plymouth
joined the Kids Voting Program in 1996. Kids Voting Massachusetts
then expanded to Stoughton (1998), Springfield (1999) and was present
in 2000 in Quincy, Plymouth, Stoughton, Springfield, Randolph, Richmond,
Brewster, Chatham, Eastham, Orleans, Truro, Wellfleet and Boston.
It has since expanded to include the towns of Harwich, Provincetown,
Dennis and Yarmouth and the city of Peabody for the 2002 elections.
Over 135,000 students!
How is Kids Voting funded?
Kids Voting costs an average of $2.00 per student. The organization
relies on cash donations and in-kind contributions from corporations,
foundations and individuals.
What are the mission and goals
of Kids Voting?
Kids Voting's mission is to promote voter participation and to educate
students regarding the voting process. Kids Voting works with public,
private, parochial, home and charter schools.
- Create in informed electorate
- Increase adult voter turnout
- Develop lifetime voting habits in youth
What happens on Election
Day?
Kids Voting Volunteers assist the students at the voting place in
a special Kids Voting area. These volunteers represent PTO organizations,
church groups, businesses, civic organizations, and other interested
citizens who staff precincts during regular voting hours. The kid
votes are counted, tabulated and reported via the news media.
Will Kids Voting add to teachers'
already busy days?
Kids Voting lessons provide resource materials and instructional
activities for teachers to build and enhance their curricula. Civics
Alive! directly relates to the Massachusetts State frameworks for
civics and government.
Are elected officials and other
politicians involved in Kids Voting?
Because it is a nonpartisan program, elected officials and
candidates cannot donate money to Kids Voting or be involved in
any policy-making position. Kids Voting encourages citizen involvement
in the democratic process but does not promote the beliefs or agenda
of any political party.
How is Kids Voting unique?
Kids Voting USA is the only organization that virtually replicates
the official voting process. Students go to the official polling
sites on Election Day accompanied by a parent, guardian, or other
adult. Students cast their own ballots, which simulate the official
ballot. Students "vote" in their own voting booths located
near adult polling booths. Results are reported by news media just
as official results are. Kids Voting is as close to the real thing
as anyone under the age of 18 can get. And, studies show it's increasing
adult voter turnout!
For more information, contact:
Dr. Michael Hannahan, Chair, Kids Voting Massachusetts
University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute
211 Middlesex House
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, MA 01003
mhannahan@donahue.umassp.edu
tel: 413 545 4845
fax: 413 545 3420
|
