History
Begun locally in 1996 by the News & Record, Kids Voting— Guilford County is part of Kids Voting USA, which originated in Tempe , Arizona in 1988 to impact increasing voter apathy. The program involves educating students in kindergarten through high school about the voting process. This teaching is done in the classroom through special activities developed by Kids Voting USA and provided by Kids Voting—Guilford County to all the Guilford County Schools's public schools, over 20 private schools in the county, and any interested home schoolers. Additionally, on Election Day, students have the opportunity to vote on many of the same candidates who are on the adult ballot. After an impressive local beginning when over 22,000 students voted for president, Kids Voting – Guilford County has organized student elections annually for every November general election.
Kids Voting— Guilford County is affiliated with Kids Voting North Carolina and is now one of 18 programs in North Carolina. Locally, Kids Voting— Guilford County partners with the Guilford County Schools and the Guilford County Elections Office.
The local program has received Kids Voting USA's highest award for affiliates on two separate occasions and is currently celebrating its 14th year serving the Guilford County community.
.................................................................................................................................. Mission
Kids Voting— Guilford County strives to prepare young people to be educated, engaged
citizens in order to secure the future of our democracy.
Does It Work?
Yes!
Kids Voting research conducted by Dr. Bruce D. Merrill, Ph.D., Director, Media Research Program, The Walter Cronkite School of Journalism & Telecommunication at Arizona State University, showed an increase in adult voter turnout averaging 5% in 1996 in communities with Kids Voting.
The research by Dr. Steven Chaffee, Ph.D., the Janet M. Peck Professor of International Communication at Stanford University , indicated that there is a “trickle up” effect, with parents becoming more interested and knowledgeable about the elections process because of their children's interest, especially in lower socioeconomic groups.
Additionally, the program causes increased discussion and interaction between the student and parent(s) and increased interest in reading newspapers and in watching TV news. ..................................................................................................................................
2009 Board of Directors
-
President:
Grant Almond, Attorney, Keziah Gates & Samet, LLP
-
Vice President:
Kimberly White, Social Worker, GCS
-
Secretary:
Maria Hicks-Few, VP Human Resources and
Public Affairs, Resource Solutions of the Carolinas
-
Treasurer:
Thomas G. Nisbet, Jr., Sr. VP Commercial
Banking, SunTrust, Greensboro
-
At Large:
Dr. James Corey, Retired Professor of Political
Science
-
Members:
Terrial L. "Terry" Aiken,
Diversity Consultant, Youth Director, Immaculate Heart of
Mary Catholic Church; Anita Bachmann, VP Regulatory
Affairs, United Health Care; Connie Brown, Quality
Assurance Specialist, The Guilford Center, Rebecca
Buffington, Community Volunteer;
Kris Cooke*, Guilford County Board of
Education; Mark Cummings, Mark Cummings Law;
Barbara Demarest, Marketing & Strategy
Coach, Barbara Demarest & Associates;
George Gilbert*, Director, Board of
Elections;
Jim Guin, Consultant; Paula Jarrell*,
Guilford County PTA Council; Dona Pickett, Community
Affairs, WFMY News 2; Deena Qubein, CEO,McNeill
Lehman Janet Shapiro, Community Volunteer;
Anne Sheffield, Teacher, Lincoln Middle
School; Linda Sutton, Community Volunteer;
Jonna Yarbrough, Community Volunteer & Event
Planner
- Student Representatives:
Alexandria Gerald and Hillary Stone
* Indicates liaisons from
community organizations
..................................................................................................................................
Staff
Ms. Diane Lowe, Executive Director
Ms. Sheila Siler, Administrative Assistant
Email comments and suggestions to info@kidsvotingguilford.org.
Return to Top
|
