HomeMy WebLinkAboutKids Vote Press Release
Contact: Jordan Gilgenbach, Communications Intern
952-833-9522 • commintern@ci.edina.mn.us • www.CityofEdina.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Volunteers Needed for Kids Voting Edina 2010
Edina, Minn., Oct. 14, 2010 – Volunteers are needed to assist with Kids Voting Edina, a sub-
segment of Kids Voting Minnesota and Kids Voting USA. Kids Voting Edina will be available at all
Edina voting precinct locations on Election Day.
Kids Voting Edina is a joint effort between Edina Public School and the City of Edina. It is
intended to promote civic awareness and voting among students in Grades K-12.
“Kids Voting Edina is a unique opportunity to teach young people about the voting process and
why their participation at the polls is so important,” said Heather Haen Anderson, Executive
Director of Connecting With Kids.
Research has shown that overall voter turnout increases 3 to 5 percent in communities
participating in Kids Voting. Turnout can increase up to 14 percent among 18 to 24 year olds in
those same communities.
Volunteers will each be asked to work a 2.5-hour shift on Nov. 2. Duties will include setup of
Kids Voting Polls, collecting ballots, counting votes and helping guide kids through the election
process. “Volunteers are needed as ‘precinct workers’ to help guide children as they vote,” said
Heather Anderson, Executive Director of Connecting With Kids. “The children's excitement is
infectious and it in turn gives the Kids Voting volunteers the joy of seeing the election process
from a different perspective.”
Potential volunteers will need to attend a training session at the Edina Community Center. The
two sessions from which volunteers can choose are Tuesday, Oct. 26 or Thursday, Oct. 28,
both from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Volunteer’s assignments will be made on a first come, first served basis. Every effort will be
made to assign volunteers in their own precinct, but flexibility may be necessary. Students are
also encouraged to volunteer. Younger students will be assigned to the same area as their
parents. Older students, however, can volunteer by themselves.
Youth who wish to cast ballots in Kids Voting Edina are invited to accompany their parents to
their local polling site on Election night. Kids Voting Edina polls will be open between 4 and 8
p.m. Kids will be able to vote for the same candidates and issues as adults.
To volunteer with Kids Voting Edina, contact Heather Anderson at 952-688-8081 or e-mail
info@connectingwithkidsedina.org.
For more information about Kids Voting Edina, visit www.Edina.k12.mn.us or
www.CityofEdina.com/KidsVoting or contact Julie Rogers Bascom, Kids Voting Committee
Facilitator, at 952-848-3957 or e-mail julrogersbascom@edina.k12.mn.us.
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