Elementary Students Voting

Yesterday (Monday, Nov. 3), elementary students across the country had their own voting experience. Studies Weekly and Woogi World set up a safe way for students to vote in class on the Internet for the Democrat and Republican choice for President. This press release explains a few more details.

"We have no AARP to lobby for us. We have not voice at all," explains kids talking to one of the President's advisor in the TV series "West Wing." The clip is shown on the Woogi World page explaining the benefits of why it's important to get children at least interested in the election process. It's a stirring clip when you think about how much children are effected by the government and how little a voice they have in what happens to them.

According to the children's reports from yesterday's votes, Obama won over McCain in a similar electoral college vote split that fivethirtyeight.com has been predicting for the last month or so. This gives some credence to the polls, but who knows? The weather is beautiful, but the lines are supposed to be long.

Children have been fascinated by this election along with their parents. It's been in the news for nearly two years, so if their parents talk at all about current events, the presidential and local elections have to be in the conversation mix. Obama's young daughters have also probably drawn in elementary school children.

I'm glad that there are processes this year for kids to have a way to vote. I've always thought that this is one of the greatest social studies lessons for school kids. And it's an interesting intersection of high tech and teaching.

It's nicer to be on the winning side

After we vote here, we get a small oval sticker that says "I Voted" with a flag underneath. I noticed that many people were wearing them as we shopped the bargains early Tuesday morning. They are a kind of badge of honor.

Yet, they look a lot like those stickers that say "I Gave Blood." During the last several years, voting has seemed somewhat like giving blood, putting your hopes and principles into a small black circle with all the pain and dismal frustration that goes into such a decision. Especially when you realize that you'll probably loose. I got queasy every time I looked at the sticker, as I faint around blood easily. (obviously I never had a future in medicine)

But yesterday the voters in my school district passed both a referendum and a .1 tax increase to improve the schools, build new ones, and improve security. I worked a little on promoting a Yes vote. So I feel pretty good that both parts passed. My son is in one of the test classrooms and is thrilled about the Smart Board connected to a computer. The kids seem to respond to it extremely well. The complete overhaul of the classroom has contributed tremendously to a better learning environment.

I hate that taxes have to go up, but I think that investing in the future through children and schools is necessary.

Barack Obama also won my state. Yeah! I worked on helping get on the vote for him, too.

I am thrilled that for once my hopes and beliefs aligned with the greater community.