1 Kids Voting Minneapolis Election Day Volunteer Training November

2 Kids Voting USA ® It's unique, it's fun and it works! A national leader in civic education, Kids Voting gets K-12 students involved and ready to be educated, engaged citizens Students learn about democracy through a combination of classroom activities, an authentic voting experience and family dialogue

3 Kids Voting Minneapolis ® Began in 2004 Affiliate of Kids Voting USA ® Nonpartisan, nonprofit organization Community-based partnership of schools, elections officials, business and community organizations, and volunteers

4 Why Kids Voting is Important 1999 study found that 18 to 24 year olds ranked voting as one of their lowest priorities On November 2, 2004, in Minnesota about 200, year-olds did not vote! More than 50% of American children live in households where no adults vote

5 Kids Voting Mission To secure the future of democracy by preparing young people to be educated, engaged voters.

6 Kids Voting Helps Students Learn about their voting rights and responsibilities and the importance of civic participation Experience the voting process by going to their neighborhood polling place with their parents on Election Day to vote Become part of an active, engaged, and well- informed electorate Begin a lifetime of citizenship and regular voting

7 How Kids Voting Works Teachers use K-12 Kids Voting USA Classroom Activities, throughout the school year to teach about: –elections and voting, –the rights and responsibilities of being a U.S. citizen, –suffrage and the right to vote, –and how to be an active citizen outside the voting booth

8 How Kids Voting Works (contd.) Election Day is a family activity- students go to polls with their parents* to vote Students vote on the Kids Voting Minneapolis ballot which includes many of same candidates and questions as adults vote on and includes pictures of candidates Ballots scanned overnight Results reported next day *Adult voting increases up to 5% in communities with KidsVoting programs!

9 How Big Is Kids Voting USA®? 4.3 million students 200,000 teachers in 10,600 schools 50 affiliates in 28 states 17,000 voter precincts In Minnesota –More than 67,500 students voted in 2004 –More than 225,000 students and 8000 teachers participated in schools from International Falls to Owatonna In Minneapolis –7,600 students voted in the 2004 presidential election –2,900 students from 111 schools voted in 2005 city elections

10 Volunteer Expectations Kids Voting must not interfere with or disrupt official voting Volunteers must follow the law with regard to conduct in and near polling places Volunteers must be completely nonpartisan: –Must not wear items related to candidates, parties or issues –Do not discuss your opinions on candidates, ballot questions or issues

11 Volunteer Expectations (contd.) Wear your school or organization shirt, a KV Volunteer nametag and Kids Voting button Be familiar with the Kids Voting ballot and voting process Keep Kids Voting area managed and orderly Respect voters right to privacy Make this voting experience a positive one for all K-12 voters

12 Kids Voting Minneapolis Polling Stations KV Hours: 7-9:00 am and 2:30-8 pm Located at every Minneapolis precinct Station consists of a table and 2 chairs Most often located in the same room as the adult voting Supply box and voting booths at precinct already

13 Supplies Red folder containing: KV ballots Volunteer Instructions Translation of Voter Instructions and 3 ballot questions KV Volunteer nametags List of School Numbers Quotes & Notes form KV Voting Hours sign KVM Facts Voted Ballot envelope #2 pencils & sharpener Masking tape “Vote Here” posters “I Voted” Kids Voting stickers Kids Voting buttons 1 ballot box 2 voting booths

14 Setting Up KV Polls Introduce yourself to election judges and locate Kids Voting table, supply box, and voting booths with their help Put on KV Volunteer nametag and Kids Voting button Set up Kids Voting station

15 Setting Up KV Polls (contd.) On the table: –Set up the voting booths and place the ballot box between them –Sharpen pencils and put in each booth Tape the “Voting Hours” sign to the wall near the KV station Tape one “Vote Here” sign on the wall outside the polling area where the official voting information is posted and one to the table

16 Volunteers For All Shifts Put on a KV Volunteer nametag and Kids Voting button Review Election Day Volunteer Instructions Familiarize yourself with the ballot Know the ward and precinct number of the polling place where you are located Use a pencil to fill in the ward and precinct by number and fill in the appropriate circles on the ballots

17 Volunteers For All Shifts (contd.) Locate the translation of “Instructions to Voters” and ballot questions and leave on the table Review the School Numbers list Have “I Voted” stickers ready to distribute to those who vote Assist student voters cast ballots

18 Volunteers For All Shifts (contd.) At end of shift, after students have left area, count the number of ballots cast Fill out the label on the front of the Voted Ballot Envelope Put voted ballots in the envelope Store unused ballots in the folder

19 Student Voting Process Welcome voter Review “Instructions to Voters” –Use only a #2 pencil –You may vote on as much or as little of the ballot as you want –To vote, completely fill in the circle next to your choice (s) like this: Look up School Number and ask voter to mark their ballot with both school number and their grade

20 Student Voting Process ( contd.) Remind to vote for one candidate for each office except for School Board Director where they vote for up to four candidates Remind to only vote for either a candidate listed or write-in, not both Direct voter to place completed ballot in box Thank them for voting and give “I Voted” sticker

21 After the Polls Close Give the sealed KV Voted Ballot Envelope to the Chair Election Judge Take down Kids Voting station Place all supplies including unused ballots, ballot box and signs in Supply Box and fold closed Ask Chair Election Judge where to place box and folded voting booths

22 Important Reminders By MN law only Kids Voting volunteers and students voting are allowed in polling places –Do not bring your children with you –Do not allow students to hang out in the area –Do not "watch" students while their parents vote Voters must use a #2 pencil Call for more ballots when you get down to 10 Do not duplicate ballots on a copier Do not fold ballots Remain nonpartisan Make this voting experience positive for all

23 Kids Voting Minneapolis could not happen without your help. Thank you for your time and dedication.