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KVD Countdown to Election Day: Week 1
Get ready for Election Day 2020 with these fun family activities for kids of all
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Countdown to Election Day 2020 is an interactive guide designed to prepare you and your family for this year's election. We have 5 different sections that you can work on each weeknight (about 15 minutes) or you can tackle it all at once!
Why is it so
important to vote and involve the whole family?
Elections ensure that a government is chosen by the people, for the people. Research shows that when famliies are involved in election together kids are much more likely to vote as adults and parents are more likely to show up to the polls. AND Durham benefits by having more engaged citizens now and in the future.
This week we cover:
Voter Identity
P.S. Don't forget to share this info with your friends and family.
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The Vote Has Power
...so what will you do with that power? |
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Youth are more engaged than ever. According to Tufts CIRCLE study: 83% of youth say they believe young people have the power to change the country, 60% feel like they’re part of a movement that will vote to express its views, and 79% of young people say the COVID-19 pandemic has helped them realize that politics impact their everyday lives.
Youth have also vocalized issues that they are most concerned with. While these topics were the most commonly listed, no topic got over 15% agreement via youth. This demonstrates that young people care about more than one issue and broader areas of concerns than adults who are polled often do.
Top Issues Youth Think are Most Important:
- Environment/ Climate Change 13%
- Racism 12%
- Healthcare 12%
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The links listed below will help you learn about these issues and others while showcasing different viewpoints.
Above the Noise YouTube series for teens, from PBS Digital Studios and KQED, that dives deep into the research behind these issues and more that affect daily life.
All-sides.com Informative news from a variety of viewpoints focusing on politics and the issues that are important for this election.
I Side With Non-partisan polling site that shows at how people from across the US, different parties, and income levels look at key issues. |
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Make some time during dinner, car rides, or at special family time to slow down and discuss the following points below.
- What is a wish you have for Durham? For your school or neighborhood? For our Country?
Gather your wishes on a Family Wish Tree (download activity sheet here) and talk about how kids could help those wishes come true.
- If you were President or Governor or Mayor what would you do? What would be the most important thing for you to work on?
- What issues do each of you as individuals care about most? Which issues are important to your family as a whole?
- What characteristics do you think are important for a leader?
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While not everyone in your family may be old enough to cast a vote that determines who gets elected, everyone can have an impact on elections no matter their age.
Before you look at candidates and decide who you want to vote for, take some time to think about who YOU are as voter.
Small Things You Can Do This Week That Make A Difference: |
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- Download this KVD Coloring Sheet and express who you are as voter through art! Share a copy on social media #ourfamilyvotes @kidsvotingdurham
- Share this newsletter with other families and encourage them to take part in the Countdown to Election Day by subscribing HERE
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Any Age, Any Day, Making Change Happen! |
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Local Action!
Durham Office on Youth is a great place to start if you are interested in getting involved locally. Check out the Durham Youth Commission tab to get directly involved with Durham decision-makers. Below we are highlighting two Durham students who have been making a positive impact!
Aissa Dearing
High school senior and activist is highly involved in her community contributing her time and efforts to multiple community groups including Youth Justice Project, Southern Coalition for Social Justice, East Durham Children's Initiative (EDCI), and co-founder of The Durham Climate Justice Initiative. Most recently, Aissa has been focused on encouraging the schools to listen to youth on school discipline and security Aissa is doing her part to better the community. To read more about her story check out this Indy Week article.
Elijah King
High school senior and founder of Durham Free Lunch Initiative has taken advantage of his time in quarantine and created a positive impact for the community by providing free lunches to those in need. To read more about his story check out EdNC.org.
You Can Take Action
Too!
Look at your local community or even on the national level, think of things that you would change for the better.
Talk to your parents about your idea and brainstorm what you can do to make the change and how you can do it. |
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Dates You Probabaly Didn't Know About. |
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High School Voter Registration Week
Since the last election 7 Million people have turned 18! That is a lot of people with the chance to enact change...but that only matters if they have been registered to vote. This week is all about ensuring that people whom have turned 18 or will be 18 before the election are registered to vote and have their voices heard.
Do you know where you can vote? Is your school offering voter registration? If not, be sure and register here and next year you can bring voter registration to your school!
Learn more about High School Voter Registration Week!
Voter Registration Day
Did you know that in North Carolina you must be registered to vote at least 25 days before the election? Registering ensures that you are eligible to vote in upcoming elections.
Learn more, check your registration status, and register at the links below.
First Presidential Debate
Presidential debates originated as a chance for Americans to get to know their presidential candidates by listening to their policies, politics, and to understand candidate's personalities. A lot of families wonder if this combination makes for good family-friendly tv.
We have selected some articles below on how to watch the debates as a family and come away from them with positive insights by creating an environment that is conducive to constructive criticism of candidate behavior, and creating impactful conversations on issues discussed during the debates.
Advice on Watching the Debates with the Family
Learn More about the History of
Presidential Debates
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Kids Voting Durham is a program of the Durham County Cooperative Extension. |
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