170 days
to the Presidential Election!

Kids Voting Arizona Family Guide

 
When you take your kids to vote, democracy becomes a family affair. It promotes family conversation, what you stand for, what you believe in, what your hopes are for our country and culminates in the historic act of going to the voting booth to cast a ballot for elected representatives. Studies suggest that parents exert tremendous influence over future voting patterns of their children. If parents vote regularly, their children are far more likely to vote when they become adults. Chances are, if you take your kids to the polls, they'll remember it. Democracy makes a good first impression!

  • Choose an issue - Find one that affects your kids directly - the environment, or education for example - then follow it through the media, keeping track of what is said and by whom.  Discuss with your children each candidate's views on these issues.

  • Take a walk around the neighborhood - Take your family on a stroll through your neighborhood and note the political advertising and campaign signs that you see.  How many different campaigns can your kids identify?

  • Review the advertising - What messages are the candidates communicating in their ads? Ask your kids about the advertising - is it negative, warm and fuzzy, humorous or scary? Which type of ads do they remember and why?

  • Family History - Have your kids talk to older members of the family about their voting histories. Who was the first presidential candidate they voted for? Who were their all-time favorite candidates, and did they win or lose?

  • Contact the candidates - Encourage your child to write a letter or an e-mail to a candidate. Go to www.vote-smart.org for specific candidates to get their contact information. Just type in your zip code for updated information on the candidates running in your area.

  • Find your Legislative and Congressional district.

  • Go to the polls with your kids.

For election information such as locating your polling place, information on the propositions on your ballot or any election questions go to the County Elections Department or the Arizona Secretary of State's Office.