Northern Kentucky kids flocked to the polls on Election Day.
Future voters of any age were encouraged to go to the polls with their parent/guardian to cast a “Kids Voting” ballot in a mock election at a Kids Voting booth.
Kids Voting Northern Kentucky is a non-profit, non-partisan, all volunteer organization dedicated to teaching young people the importance of, and to help develop the habit of, voting.
Northern Kentucky kids cast 10,972 votes for President. Approximately 1,500 more than in the 2012 presidential election where 9,490 votes were cast.
“For 17 years, Kids Voting Northern Kentucky has worked to help increase young folks awareness of the actual voting process and get in a habit of going to the polls,” said founding board member Carri Chandler. “The goal is to increase civic engagement and, ultimately, increase adult voter turnout.”
From 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., kids voted at the same precinct locations where their parents did throughout Kenton and Campbell counties and at all of the branches of Boone County Public Library. Additionally, about 350 students volunteered to assemble ballot boxes, work polls and count ballots.
Votes were cast on the Presidential, Senate and 4th Congressional District races. Additionally, they weighed in on two topics.
Results are as follows:
President of the United States
Hillary Clinton (D): 4,562
Donald Trump (R): 5,906
Other: 504
United States Senate
Jim Gray (D): 3,343
Rand Paul (R): 4,459
Other: 34
4th Congressional District
Calvin Sidle (D): 3,680
Thomas Massie (R): 4,485
Other: 50
Questions:
Should cursive handwriting be taught in school?
Yes: 7,019
No: 1,192
Have I been taught to use social media safely?
Yes: 6,729
No: 1,987
Voter age:
5-8 years old 3,174
9-12 years old 2,890
13-17 years 671
I think Boone County needs to get involved with this like Kenton and Campbell Counties. To be able to vote with their parents at the polling place would make all the difference in the world for most families in Boone County. I know when my kids were young, I did not have time after work to vote plus drive up to the library to let them vote. But I do think it is great that at least Boone Co kids can vote at least at the library.