| NEWS RELEASE | SANTA CRUZ COUNTY CLERK-ELECTIONS 701 OCEAN ST., ROOM 210 SANTA CRUZ, CA 95060 831-454-2060 / FAX: 831-454-2445 Toll Free 1-866-282-5900 E-Mail: gail.pellerin@co.santa-cruz.ca.us Web Site:www.votescount.com FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Justin Trinh-Halperin, |
Kids Vote 2004 Offered in Santa Cruz County
When you go to vote on Election Day, don't be surprised if there's a 9-year-old at the polls contemplating some of the same issues.
Santa Cruz County Clerk/Elections has partnered with a 7th & 8th class at Tierra Pacifica
Charter School in Live Oak for the November 2, 2004 Presidential General Election to offer kids in grades K -12 a chance to vote on real issues with real ballots. The class, taught by Justin Trinh-Halperin, has been studying the election and is coordinating Kids Vote 2004. The class has assembled Kids Vote packets for all of the polling sites in Santa Cruz County and will tally the kids’ votes after the polls close at 8 p.m. on November 2.Young people in Kindergarten through 12th grade will have the opportunity to cast their vote for President of the United States. The candidates' name, party affiliation and picture are provided on the ballot to assist in the selection process.
Other issues on the Kids Vote 2004 ballot include: Measure J, the countywide Local Transportation Improvement Act, United States Senator, and Propositions 1A, 61, 62, 63, 65, 68 and 71.
The goal of the program is to make voting a family experience, according to the Santa Cruz County Clerk/Elections Department. It is also a great way to teach young people about the importance of voting.
Students do not need to register prior to going to the polls to vote. Each of the county's 163 polling sites, as well as the County Clerk/Elections Department and Watsonville City Hall will have Kids Vote 2004 Ballots available. The students must be accompanied by an adult in order to vote. The adult who accompanies the child does not have to be a registered voter.
Results of Kids Voting will be posted after November 2 on the Santa Cruz County Clerk/Elections Department's website at www.votescount.com.
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For more information, please call the Santa Cruz County Clerk/Elections Department at 831-454-2060, visit our office at 701 Ocean St., Room 210 in Santa Cruz, or check out our website at www.votescount.com.