Youngsters plunge into political races
Kids Voting provides chance to campaign, cast simulated ballots
Red and blue streamers hang from the doorway of Room 111 in Anthony J. Schmidt Elementary School in Evans. More streamers, flags and balloons have transformed the computer room into a rally location for presidential and congressional candidates.
Political pundits might want to listen to the election experts in this room, where children get a taste of the democratic process, first by presenting the presidential and congressional candidates, then by helping their schoolmates from other classes vote online.
The classroom is one of the many in Western New York where students have prepared for Kids Voting, a nonpartisan program designed both to teach children about the voting process and to prompt more of their parents to vote.
Their parents are drawing the curtain and pulling the levers today, but more than 100,000 Western New York youngsters are registered and can use computers to cast their ballots. This year’s effort to bring civics lessons from the classroom to the dinner table involves 100 schools.
At Anthony J. Schmidt, fourth-grader Alexander Headley read the stump speech researched by his group for John McCain.
“John McCain has a comprehensive economic plan that will create millions of good American jobs, ensure our nation’s energy security, get the government’s spending practices in order and bring relief to American consumers,” he said, while others in his group held signs for McCain.
When he was finished, the group called out the slogan they created for McCain: “Vote for McCain, It’s not a Pain.”
Next came Christian Kortum’s turn to give Barack Obama’s side. “If you vote for Barack Obama, he will make investments for clean energy and energy efficiency, and will sign universal health care legislation first, ensuring all Americans will have high-quality affordable coverage,” he said.
Then the group started its chant:“O-ba-ma! O-ba-ma! Vote for Obama!”
Presentations were made for Rep. Brian Higgins, D-Buffalo, and his challenger, Daniel Humiston.
“Daniel Humiston said he entered politics because of the inefficient way elected officials are running the country,” Erica Holscher said.
“Brian’s top priority in the Congress is fostering economic development in Western New York and bringing jobs to the hardworking men and women of Erie County and Chautauqua County,” Mary Farncis said.
The slogan for Higgins was simple and to the point: “Vote for Brian, he is tryin’.”
The presidential election has stirred up interest in many schools, as they find creative ways for children to learn about democracy.
Fourth-graders in Stevenson Elementary in Ransomville researched candidates for Power- Point presentations, oral presentations and debates.
Pupils in Alden Primary voted during their scheduled computer lab times. They also will hold a schoolwide vote today to select a fun, celebration day: either pajama day, silly sock day or hat day.
Kids Voting wants children to become so excited about voting that they want to go vote with their parents, said Katie Biggie, coordinator of Kids Voting Western New York and educational outreach coordinator for the University at Buffalo’s Center for Educational Collaboration.
Kids Voting WNY/UB seeks to introduce children at an early age to the importance of voting and civic engagement, she said.
Youngsters from kindergarten through 12th grade will cast ballots at kidsvotingny.com, and results will be posted by Thursday. Elementary school pupils will vote only for president, but older students will consider congressional, Assembly, State Senate, judicial and district attorney candidates.
“The beauty of this program is it gives teachers an outlet.
They don’t have to create lesson plans, because it’s already there,” Biggie said.
