(30 minutes)

OBJECTIVE
Students vote in a simulated polling place to become familiar with the voting process.

MATERIALS
Polling Place Diagram handout; Ballots handout; material for a ballot box and voting booth

GET READY

• Choose an issue that will impact the students rather quickly. For instance, vote on what to play at recess or how to determine seating or something fun like, What tastes best: a chocolate chip or peanut butter cookie?
• Prepare ballots from the Ballots handout or determine a way to vote on blank pieces of paper.
• Prepare a simple ballot box and voting booth.
• Arrange a corner of the classroom to resemble a polling place as shown in the diagram.

INSTRUCTIONS

• Explain the duties of the precinct workers (see handout) and assign students to role play the part of the workers. Seat them as shown in the diagram.
• Give one of the judges the registration sheet derived from the Kids Voting Registration activity.
• Give the clerks lined paper to record the voters as they come in.
• Hand the ballots to the other judge.
• Seat the marshal by the ballot box.
• Ask a student to demonstrate by casting the first vote.
• Let each student go through the voting process.
• Instruct the marshal to tally and announce the vote.
• Implement the vote.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

• Who can go into a polling place?
• Have you ever gone with your parents? If yes, what was it like?
• How do adults know where to go to vote?
• If they don't know, how can they find out?
• Can everybody vote?
• Have you voted at the Kids Voting booth before? What was it like?
• Where will you go to cast your Kids Voting vote this election?
• Are there any rules in a polling place?
• What do you think are good manners for a polling place?

DOWNLOAD THIS ACTIVITY WITH HANDOUTS