| NEWS RELEASE | SANTA CRUZ COUNTY ELECTIONS 701 OCEAN ST., ROOM 210 SANTA CRUZ, CA 95060 831-454-2060 / FAX: 831-454-2445 E-Mail: gail.pellerin@co.santa-cruz.ca.us Web Site:www.votescount.com |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 22, 2002
Contact: Gail L. Pellerin, Elections Manager
831-454-2419
Kids Voting Offered in Santa Cruz County
When you go to vote on Election Day, don't be surprised if there's a 5th grader at the polls contemplating the some of the same issues.
Santa Cruz County Elections has partnered with Kids Voting California for the November 5, 2002 General Election to offer kids in grades K –12 a chance to vote on real issues with real ballots.
Young people in Kindergarten through 12th grade have the opportunity to select who they would want as Governor and voice their opinion on Proposition 47, the Education Facilities Bond Act.
The candidates' name, party affiliation and picture are provided on the ballot to help in the selection process.
Students in 3rd grade on up are also asked to vote on who they want for Secretary of State, as well as Proposition 49, the Before and After School Programs Initiative.
Kids in 5th grade or higher may vote on Lieutenant Governor as well as Proposition 52: Election Day Voter Registration and Proposition 48: Court Consolidation.
Finally the 9th through 12th graders complete their ballots with Proposition 50: Water Quality, Supply and Safe Drinking Water Projects and Proposition 51: Distribution of Existing Motor Vehicle Sales and Use Tax.
Click Here to view the entire ballot.
"The goal of this program is to make voting a family experience," County Clerk Richard Bedal said. "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 166 polling places, as well as the County Elections Department and Watsonville City Hall will have Kids Voting 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.
Kids Voting also offers a curriculum for teachers to use in their classrooms to promote voter education. Schools may also arrange for their students to take home a ballot and vote it as part of a homework assignment.
Again, the primary goal is to involve the adults in the household who may or may not plan on voting.
Results of Kids Voting will be posted by November 7 on the Santa Cruz County Elections Department's website at www.votescount.com
For more information, please call the Santa Cruz County Elections Department at 454-2060 or visit our website at www.votescount.com or kidsvotingusa.org
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See excerpt from Kids Voting USA website on following pages and Kids Voting Ballot in attachment.
Overview:
Kids Voting USA .
Kids Voting USA® is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, grassroots organization working with
schools and communities to enhance civics education and provide youth a voting experience
at official polls on election day.
How it Began.
In 1988, three businessmen from Arizona traveled to Costa Rica on a fishing trip and caught much more than fish!. These three founders of Kids Voting learned that voter turnout is about 80 percent in Costa Rica. Why? How? Voting is mandated by law in Costa Rica, however, this is not enforced. Instead, Costa Ricans attribute this high voter turnout to their tradition of children accompanying mom and dad to the polls. Youths learn early the importance of voting in a democracy. As a result, Costa Ricans believe their form of government is well preserved for the future.Kids Voting USA
. Today, Kids Voting USA is the only program of its kind that enables students to visit official polling sites on election day, accompanied by parent or guardian, to cast a ballot similar in content to the official ballot. Kids Voting USA teaches youth -- through a special curriculum, family participation and community involvement -- the importance of being informed and the responsibilities of voting.Kids Voting USA Scope.
The Kids Voting USA Network of state organizations is growing fast, presently reaching 5 million students, 200,000 teachers, 6,000 schools, 80,000 volunteers and 20,000 voter precincts.Summary
Mission.
Kids Voting USA is securing the future of democracy by educating and involving youth in the election process today.It’s Unique.
No other program offers the comprehensive Kids Voting USA Curriculum©,invites students into the official polling sites on election day and gives students the opportunity to experience voting just as adults do.Community, School & Family.
Kids Voting USA is a program that elicits the best from the community, the classroom and the household to deliver a valuable experience to youth and family that strengthens democracy now and for the future.Headquarters
Kids Voting USA
398 South Mill Avenue
Suite 304
Tempe, Arizona 85281
Phone: (480) 921-3727
Fax: (480) 921-4008
Toll Free: 1-866-500-VOTE
Email:
For more information, please call the Santa Cruz County 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.