Shakopee Kids Voting program returns for its 10th year

Again this year, Shakopee area students will have the opportunity to go to the polls to cast their own Kids Voting ballot in the municipal and school board races on Nov. 5. This marks the 10th year that the program has been conducted in Shakopee. Kids Voting was introduced to the community in 2004. Since then, close to 15,000 Shakopee area students have cast a Kids Voting ballot.

Kids Voting Shakopee is a community-based, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to prepare the next generation of citizens. Kids Voting provides teachers with civics-based, K-12 classroom lessons and activities. Students learn about the right to vote, democracy, civic responsibility and the importance of participation in the political process. On Election Day, students go to the polls to cast a Kids Voting ballot on the same candidates and issues as the adults. Voting takes place at the official polling locations. This simple act takes the mystery out of the voting process and instills a sense of pride, empowerment and responsibility which stays with the student into adulthood.

If you are interested in being part of this exciting effort to build the next generation of voters, please contact: Lorri, lorrihelkamp@att.net or Paulette, prislund@shakopee.k12.mn.us. To learn more about Kids Voting Shakopee visit the website at: www.kidsvotingshakopee.org.