American electoral apathy is acute, particularly among 18-to 24-year-olds. (In 1988, only a third of those eligible to vote actually did.) A group of civic activists in Phoenix decided to do something about it. Encouraged by a successful voter-education program for children in Costa Rica, they founded Kids Voting USA, which tries to make even 5-year-olds political savants, and to corral their reluctant parents, too. The program began in Arizona in 1988 and this year expanded to 10 other states, including California and Florida. In the weeks leading up to Nov. 3, more than a million pupils will discuss the candidates and issues. With their parents’ permission, they “register” and will go to actual polling places to vote in a space set aside for them.
The curriculum, which changes by grade, is anything but dry. Kindergartners discuss what a leader is: a person in charge who shares, is fair and doesn’t hit. When they talk about elections, they make a snack ballot: vote for ice cream or cookies. Older kids play a form of “Jeopardy!” with categories on candidates and platforms. On a recent morning at an elementary school in Gilbert, Ariz., fourth graders had an offbeat music class: political jingles, campaign slogans and “Happy Days Are Here Again.” Nearby, sixth graders examined political cartoons-this time, one by Jimmy Margulies, of blind Republicans poking an elephant labeled FAMILY VALUES.
Prof. Bruce Merrill of Arizona State University found that voter participation in 1990 increased by an average of 5 percent in precincts that had Kids Voting programs. The majority of parents who voted said their children initiated political discussion at home. There are “lots of homework assignments just to encourage that debate,” says Kids Voting president Marilyn Evans. " It’s created political monsters among Arizona kids. We couldn’t stop them."
Nickelodeon, the cable network for kids, has also gotten into the act. It’s canvassed the country, asking the prepubescent set what concerns them (top answer: the environment) and set up ballot boxes in 493 Target stores where kids can vote for president. This Friday, children will also be able to phone in their choices on a toll-free number. But it’s this week’s “Who Wants to Be President?” special, with celebrity guest Gerald Ford, that may provide the best insight into pint-size political savvy. Host Linda Ellerbee wanted to know the presidential salary; the tough questions came from the kids. “What is it like,” one girl asked, “to have the fate of America in your hands?” Evans is right: you can’t stop them. And no one should try.
