Fact Sheet

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 in their curriculum, and students 'register' to vote in the classroom. On election day, students go to the polls with a parent, guardian, or other adult.

Kids Voting began in 1988 in Phoenix, Arizona. The program began expanding nationally in 1992. Today over 40 states and the District of Columbia use the Kids Voting curriculum in their schools.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg community was a part of the Kids Voting nationwide expansion in 1992. Wake and Guilford County schools participated for the first time in the 1996 national election. Cumberland County launched a pilot project in 1998. The program is expected to be offered to nearly 50,000 students and 4,000 teachers in Cumberland County in 1999.

Kids Voting costs average $1.50 per student on a national level. The organization relies on cash donations and in-kind contributions from corporations, foundations, and individuals. The January 1 through December 31, 1998 cash and in-kind budget for the Cumberland County program is $7,500. With over 50,000 students in Cumberland County public schools and many more in its private, parochial, home, and charter schools, Kids Voting's operating budget is well below the national average.

Kids Voting works with public, private, parochial, home, and charter schools to:

In June 1993, North Carolina passed a Kids Voting law that recognizes the legitimacy of the program in the voting place and allows students to vote at the polls. In many ways, Kids Voting is a 'family voting' experience.

No. Children vote on special paper ballots that contain the same candidates and issues as the adult ballot. Cumberland County uses volunteer personnel to tabulate the results.

Volunteers assist the students at the voting place in a special Kids Voting area. These volunteers represent PTSA organizations; church groups; businesses; civic organizations; and other interested citizens who staff precincts during regular voting hours. The votes are counted, tabulated, and reported via the news media.

All Cumberland County public, private, parochial, home, and charter schools have the option of participating in this program. Every student in the county can take an active part in the classroom curriculum and can vote at the polls. The classroom curriculum and election day activities provide a real 'hands-on' experience in democracy.

Kids Voting lessons provide resource materials and instructional activities for teachers to build and enhance their curricula. Developing citizenship skills is vital in civic education. Kids Voting provides an avenue for teaching and applying these skills.

Kids Voting is about the process of political discovery, and teachers are encouraged to keep their personal political beliefs from entering into Kids Voting discussions.

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.

Kids Voting USA is the only organization that virtually replicates the official voting process. Students go to 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!

In 1996 post-election research, interviews conducted with 2,250 parents with children in schools indicated that 94% thought favorably about Kids Voting; 87% recalled hearing about the program; and adult participants said their kids asked them questions about the election at a rate 13% higher than non-program participants.
Dr. Steven Chaffee of Stanford University found in his research that Kids Voting students act as 'change agents' for the non-voting adults in the family, boosting parents' interest in the election process.
The 'trickle-up' effect is most notable among families of low socioeconomic status, and data shows that in the classroom the curriculum does much to close the socioeconomic gap between students.

In what elections has Kids Voting Cumberland County participated?

Nearly 4,000 students voted in the pilot program in 1998. In 1998, all precincts in Cumberland County participated in the national elections, enabling Cumberland County students to vote.
Kids Voting Cumberland County also participated in the 1998 local elections.

What other plans does Kids Voting have for 2008?

Kids Voting Cumberland County plans to expand to all public school.

Kids Voting North Carolina/Cumberland County
Post Office Box 390, Fayetteville, NC 28302-0390
Phone: (910) 977-2613 or Fax (910_ 483-3468
E-mail: kidsvote@usteam.net
Web Site: kidsvotingcc.org