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 at their own booths in the real adult polling locations 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 10th year serving the Guilford County community.
.................................................................................................................................. Mission
Kids Voting— Guilford County strives to prepare young people to be educated, engaged voters 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. ..................................................................................................................................
2008 Board of Directors
- President: Anne Sheffield,
Teacher, Lincoln Middle School
- Secretary: Dr. James Corey, Retired
Professor of Political Science
- Treasurer: Grant Almond, Attorney,
Keziah Gates & Samet, LLP
- At Large: Kris Cooke*, Guilford County Board of Education;
Barbara Demarest, Center for Creative
Leadership; George Gilbert*, Director, Board of Elections;
Jim Guin, Consultant; Maria Hicks-Few*,
Greensboro Jaycees Representative; Frank Kendall, Retired, Community Volunteer;
Jean King, Community Volunteer;
Jeff Lowdermilk, Greensboro Police Department;
Thomas G. Nisbet, Jr., Sr. VP Commercial
Banking, SunTrust, Greensboro; Ed Price, Ed Price & Associates, Realtors;
im Taylor, Community Volunteer; Kimberly
White, Social Worker, GCS; Dr. Michael
Williamson, Chiropractor; Betty Jo Wilson, Teacher, Hairston Middle School;
Jonna Yarbrough, Event Planner; Jessie Lowe*, Student Representative
- Ex Officio: Terrial L. "Terry" Aiken
(Immediate Past President), Youth Director, Immaculate Heart
of Mary Catholic Church
- * - Special appointments to the Board from community organizations
..................................................................................................................................
Staff Ms. Pat Vreeland, Executive Director
Ms. Mary Lou Smith, Administrative Assistant
Ms. Diane Lowe, Community Development Director
Email comments and suggestions to info@kidsvotingguilford.org.
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