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Lawrence County Kids To Vote In Mock Election

Last updated on Wednesday, November 2, 2016

(BEDFORD) - On November 8, students across Indiana will elect their own governor, president and senator in a show of active citizenship through Indiana Kids’ Election (IKE), an award-winning mock election program.

In Lawrence County the following classes will be participating:

Sponsored by the Indiana State Bar Association, Indiana Secretary of State and the Indiana Department of Education, IKE is based on the premise that voting is only occasionally done by inspiration but more often done by habit. With its special emphasis on encouraging students to develop one's voting habit at an early age, IKE attempts to emulate the election process as closely as possible. Statewide, students participate in voting milestones such as registering to vote on or before Tuesday, Oct. 11, and casting a ballot on Tuesday, Nov. 8 - just like their parents!

"In our state's bicentennial year, it's extremely fitting that Hoosier students get to take advantage of this special opportunity afforded them through Indiana Kids' Election," ISBA President Mitchell R. Heppenheimer, South Bend, said. "This program demonstrates the legal community's commitment to instilling the importance of voting in today's youth."

"Voting is one of the most important things a person can do in their lifetime," Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson says. "Every vote matters. Getting kids interested in elections at an early age and giving them a way to express their opinions is something that will build a stronger future."

More about IKE:

Under Indiana law, schools are required to give instruction on the election process two weeks preceding a general election for all students in grades 6-12. IKE, where the voting age is lowered to 5, helps Indiana teachers meet this requirement by providing comprehensive curriculum guides, free of charge, to participating schools. The curriculum meets current state academic standards as approved by the Indiana Department of Education.

Indiana attorneys also have the unique opportunity to participate in this program by volunteering for the IKE Speakers' Bureau, where they deliver classroom presentations about the election process and the importance of voting. Between now and Election Day, hundreds of attorneys will be speaking at elementary, middle and high schools throughout Indiana. A special thanks to Duke Energy and Anthem for providing each K-5 teacher participating in the Speakers' Bureau with a copy of the book, "Presidential Elections and Other Cool Facts" by Syl Sobel.

This program is also funded in part by the Indiana Bar Foundation.

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