MISSION STATEMENT

WHAT IS INDIANA KIDS' ELECTION?

Indiana Kids' Election is Indiana's only statewide mock election for students in kindergarten through twelfth grade. Among the strengths of Indiana Kids' Election are its simplicity and faithfulness to the actual election process. In participating schools, students who wish to vote must register by the same date as adults. On Election Day, registered students cast their ballots in their school buildings, which are turned into mock polling places. For the 2000 election more than 650,000 Indiana students registered to vote.

Another exciting components of Indiana Kids' Election is the development of resource materials for teachers. Under current Indiana law, teachers must give instruction on the election process two-weeks prior to a general election. The resource guide, which helps schools meet academic requirements, is available to all schools FREE OF CHARGE.

GOALS

• To create an awareness of the importance of voting
• Lay the groundwork for an educationally-rich voting experience for students that teachers will want to use year after year with a free resource guide and an easy-to-use voting system.
• Allow for teacher/school ownership by keeping the program teacher-driven, limiting the number of mandatory requirements (registration and voting on Election Day), and asking teachers to help plan the program and develop education materials.
• Involve families in the process by incoporating family components in the materials and encouraging schools to involve parents (i.e. helping with registration or voting).

2006 Indiana Kids' Election Resource Guide