There are two weeks to go until what some are calling the most important presidential election in recent memory. This time around everyone in the Miller household will be voting.
Sort of.
Okay, so only three of us are legal.
Even so, on Nov. 2, my younger two, ages 9 and 14, will be casting their votes at our local precinct.
Fear not, poll watchers, this is not an illegal attempt to stuff the ballot box in our candidate's favor. Rather, it's part of an effort to educate the young folks about the importance of civic responsibility and participating in the democratic process.
Practice, they say, makes perfect, or at least can go a long way toward establishing a habit. It can also bring some empowerment to a future voting block, according to Michelle Card, executive director of Kids Voting Tampa Bay.
That's why kids in kindergarten through Grade 12 are being invited to cast their votes alongside their parents at Kids Voting booths located at all voting precincts throughout Pasco County.
"Basically our message is getting the kids educated and involved at an early age so they become participants in future elections, that they come to know that voting is beyond a privilege and beyond a right - it's a responsibility," said Card.
Kids Voting Tampa Bay, the sponsors of which include the St. Petersburg Times , is part of the national nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, Kids Voting USA, which gives youngsters the opportunity to vote in local, state and national elections. Pasco is one of four Florida counties hosting the program, though there are more to follow, Card said.
While kid votes won't count in the official outcome, they will be tallied on state-certified election equipment. The results will be combined with other Kids Voting organizations throughout the country and released to the media.
So maybe you're thinking, "What do kids know about voting?"
Evidently quite a bit.
Even my youngest, who like some of her peers will likely be voting along "parent lines," knows something about the presidential candidates and the referendums on the ballot. That is the result of some rather lively political discussions at home and also through the eight-week Kids Voting curriculum her third-grade teacher has been using at school.
"We're in every school" in Pasco County, said Card, who has been impressed with teacher involvement in the program.
Teachers such as Sharon Snead from River Ridge Middle School.
"I was actually surprised at the amount of kids that are actually gung-ho about this election," said Snead, who teaches seventh-grade geography. "They already know who they are going to vote for."
In preparation for casting their vote, Snead's students have been immersed in presidential projects, gathering statistics and learning something about being careful when it comes to evaluating political ad campaigns and poll results.
And although many of her students started out following their parents' lead, the program has opened some healthy debate between children and their parents with the kids often petitioning their elders to change their vote.
"Usually the ballots (for kids) are between Smokey Bear or Yogi Bear, things like that," Snead said. "I think kids are excited that kids have a chance to vote on something as important as the presidential elections."
Politicians should take heed, even if these votes don't count - this time around.
It's a positive sign for the future that young people are paying attention to issues - many that affect them directly - during this election season. Perhaps, for instance, they're taking note of who diverted lottery money from education or who hasn't properly funded a national education program.
"They're paying attention at this point," said Card, who is encouraging all parents to bring their kids to the polls on Election Day - whether they're voting that day or by absentee ballot. "They'll remember who keeps their promises and who doesn't so when they are of legal voting age they'll vote accordingly."
"The more aware they become the better off we're all going to be," Snead said. "These kids are going to have years of experience listening to candidates. It might not happen tomorrow but years down the road politicians will really have to look at young voters."
So, I asked Snead, do you think these young people, unlike many who have come before them, could become the most educated generation of voters?
"I hope so," she said.
Me, too.
WANT TO VOLUNTEER?
Roughly 400 volunteers still are needed to help with the Kids Voting program at Pasco County precincts. Those wanting to help are invited to an hourlong organizational/registration meeting to be held at noon and 6 p.m. today at the Land O'Lakes Community Center, Land O'Lakes. Those who cannot attend can register online at www.kvtb.org or contact Pam McFarlin at 813 786-3239; e-mail: pam@kvtb.org or Michelle Card at 352 597-0809.
