STEAM Learning Lab – Let’s Vote!

Voting is an important part of being an American. For our last political activity before the election, we are going to be filling out a pretend ballot. Kids can vote for one of our fictional candidates or write in a different name.  This is a great chance to talk to kids about how you fill out a ballot and when you vote, including:

• How do you research candidates? Do you watch debates, look for information online or maybe talk to friends and family?
• What types of information are on a ballot? While our ballot is pretty simple, a lot of ballots include information like political party affiliation next to candidates.
• When do you vote? Do you vote by mail or in-person?
• What was it like the first time you filled out a ballot?
• Talk to kids about how voting is private. By keeping voting booths separate and ballot envelopes covered, we ensure that everyone can vote their conscience and not feel pressured to vote a certain way.

In Utah, it is very easy to vote by mail. If you are mailing a ballot in, consider taking your child with you so they can see the whole voting process.  You can also show kids your “I voted” sticker and talk to them about how adults will wear that sticker to show solidarity with other voters.  Hopefully, all these political activities will make kids feel excited for the day that they are old enough to cast their own ballot!

A big thanks to the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated for helping us with our voting activities this year! We appreciate all their help and dedication to teaching kids about the voting process! Learn more about them at https://www.facebook.com/akasorority1908/

Materials:

• Print out our pretend ballot
• Pen or Crayon

Directions:

• Fill out ballot

More Fun

• Have everyone in your family fill out one of our pretend ballots and have your own election!
• In Utah, you have until Oct 23^rd to change your address or any other details and ensure you get a ballot by mail. Check registration here!
• Utah women were the first to vote in the country! Check out some cool educational resources here!