KIDS VOTING
MESSAGE

Make your voice count

By Lyla Berg

ALOHA kids! You have a GREAT opportunity to let adults know what you think on Nov. 3. That's GENERAL ELECTION DAY, when adult American citizens in Hawaii will be going to the polls to cast their votes for candidates and issues.

This year, for the first time ever, YOU will have the chance to do the same thing!

As you study about the elections in school, you may find out that your parents or another relative is NOT registered to vote. Maybe you can encourage them to register. Help them understand how important it is for ALL of us to vote when we can. Here are some reasons why:

Voting is about making decisions. It means finding out about the people who are running for certain positions. It means selecting candidates who we believe will best represent our families in the government.

Voting is about freedom. It expresses the choices that WE feel are correct, no matter what anyone else may believe or say. When we vote, it shows people the ideas we believe in.

Voting is a private matter. It is YOUR personal choice. You do not need to tell anyone who you voted for.

Voting is an important part of what it means to live in a free country like America.

Voting shows we care about what happens to our families.

Here's what you can do to prepare for VOTING on Nov. 3.:

Talk with your parents about what happens at the polling sites when a person goes there to vote.

Ask teachers to help you understand what elections are about and who the candidates are.

Find out more information about the people who are running for the elected positions and what they believe about certain things you care about.

Ask questions so that you can find out the information you need to make YOUR decision about who YOU want to vote for.

Encourage ALL the adults you know to prepare to vote. Make sure that your school's KIDS VOTING banner is hung up and can be seen by everyone!

Read this newspaper and stay tuned for more information about KIDS VOTING!

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Lyla Berg is the executive director for Kids Voting Hawaii.

Voting calendar:

Sept. 28 -- KIDS VOTING Student Registration Drive begins on all islands. Students in grades K-12 will be registered to vote in school classrooms.

Sept. 29 -- National KIDS VOTING DAY "Celebration of Democracy" at Kaimuki High, noon.

Oct. 5 -- Last day to register ADULTS for the general election.

Nov. 3 -- General election! Students are encouraged to go to the polls, receive a KIDS VOTING HAWAII ballot and vote for Hawaii candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, Congress and other offices. Students in grades 6-12 will also be able to vote on youth issues. The outcome of the student election will not count toward electing people to office, but will be tabulated and reported to let adults know what YOU think.