A national, private, nonpartisan, nonprofit, grassroots organization, in the schools and community, dedicated to educating America’s youth about the importance of an informed electorate and about voting to sustain democracy and to increase voter turnout now and in the future. Kids go to official polling sites on Election Day to cast their own ballot, accompanied by their parents or guardians. Kids Voting is a one-of-a-kind program!

Kids Voting serves to:

• create an informed electorate

• increase national adult voter turnout

• develop lifetime voting habits in youth

Scope:

• 4.5 million students and 200,000 teachers

• 16,000 voter precincts

• 41 states, plus District of Columbia

• 80,000 volunteers and 6,000 schools

In Bibb County:

• 24,500 public school students

• 6,000 private school students

• Approx. 1,500 teachers

• All 50 precincts

Progress:

Post 1996 election research showed that five percent of adults voters in Kids Voting communities cited Kids Voting as a factor in their reason to vote. Communities with Kids Voting see adult voter turnout increase an average of three percent, and by as much as nine percent in some areas. In Bibb County the program began in 1992 and was an immediate success. In the presidential election that year, Bibb County’s adult voter turnout was 7% higher than predicted.

Post Election surveys have indicated that:

99% of teachers felt the program increased their students’ knowledge of the electoral process

81% of teachers saw an increase in parental involvement in the electoral process and in school activities

96% of students said they look forward to voting with Kids Voting in the next election

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