Students Voting helps K-12 students statewide discover the importance of elections and the power of their voice – and their vote – in our democracy.
In Fall 2022, more than 100,000 elementary, middle, and high school students across Minnesota cast a ballot just before or on Election Day as part of Students Voting, one of the nation’s largest mock election programs. The program, which is led by the Center for Youth Voice in partnership with the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State, includes classroom lessons on teaching elections, access to an age-appropriate online voters’ guide to help students learn about various elected offices and candidates, and all the supplies needed to set up “polling places” in their buildings, giving students the opportunity to participate in a realistic voting experience.
Every school that registers for Students Voting receives, at no charge:
- A realistic ballot customized with their choice of offices and ballot questions
- Ballot boxes
- Privacy screens to set up desktop/tabletop voting booths
- “I Voted” stickers
Feedback from teachers is consistently positive: “I felt like this exercise empowered the students and helped them to become responsible, respectful and proud citizens.” This sentiment is supported by research that shows that young people who learn how to vote and become comfortable with the mechanics of a polling place are significantly more likely to make voting a lifelong habit. And that’s good for everyone!
Who
Minnesota public-, private- and charter-school students in grades K-12
Program Date
Even-numbered election years
Location
Your school
Cost
Free
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