Dec. 12, 2006

Adults weren't the only ones voting on Tuesday, November 7th. Children and teenagers accompanied their parents to the polls across the country in a nation wide campaign to increase awareness about the importance of voting. Kids Voting USA has spread to 25 states including the District of Columbia. It is a national network of community-based affiliates which partner up with schools as well as election officials to educate students, K-12, on the importance of citizenship.

On Tuesday, 8,761 Tallahassee students took to the polls and participated in Election Day. In order for local precincts to be designated as Kids Voting USA sites, organizations in the community must adopt precincts which are run by hundreds of volunteers. This year, Florida State University's Athletics Department, supported and facilitated this campaign by adopting two precincts in Tallahassee.

Six student-athletes volunteered their time at Indian Springs Baptist Church and Fringe Benefits Management Company to help local kids be a part of democracy. Ashleigh Anderson, Ashley Kemp, and Sara Young, members of the Florida State Women's Golf Team and LaShaun Davis, Whitney Buckmon, and Melissa May, members of the Florida State Softball Team, supported efforts in changing voting-behavior by contributing their help to the Kids Voting USA program. The Lady Noles assisted local kids in the voting process by helping them read their ballots and answering questions they may have had.

The student-athletes asked the kids some of their own questions about why they wanted to vote and what they learned in school about the candidates. The Seminoles interacted with the small voters learning that some voted based on commercials and some based on which candidate their parents were voting for. The ladies completed their Election Day experience and gained some insight into the voting process as well as the positive influence education can have on children.

Kids Voting USA Photo Gallery