Kids at the polls tomorrow???? (law, car, station)

[ChristineF]

I recently moved here from another state. Will I be allowed to bring my kids with when voting tomorrow? Will they required to remain outside the actual ballot booth or can they come in with me? They are 7 and 9 years old (always very well behaved before the inevitable "leave them home" comment comes along) and I'd like to let them see how the process works.....

And yes I am planning on brining plenty of things with for them to do in case the lines are long.....

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by cflug

I recently moved here from another state. Will I be allowed to bring my kids with when voting tomorrow? Will they required to remain outside the actual ballot booth or can they come in with me? They are 7 and 9 years old (always very well behaved before the inevitable "leave them home" comment comes along) and I'd like to let them see how the process works.....

And yes I am planning on brining plenty of things with for them to do in case the lines are long.....

Sorry, cflug, probably not the answer you want to hear, however . . .

I am a firm believer in "There's A Time And Place For Kids" and I do not feel a Polling Station is appropriate for young kids. Voting is a very serious process and requires concentration and attention . . . not a bunch of kids creating distractions.

[roundball]

I brought mine and had no problems.

[Finger Laker]

or you can take it as an opportunity to show your kids the process, get them energized about voting and representative government and use it as a teaching/bonding tool

[ChristineF]

Originally Posted by Finger Laker

or you can take it as an opportunity to show your kids the process, get them energized about voting and representative government and use it as a teaching/bonding tool

That's exactly why I'm doing it. I have no decisions left to make so it's simply a matter of completing the ballot. I don't mean that to sound like I'm taking the process lightly, I've already made up my mind on how I'm going to vote on all the issues, both nationally and locally.

[acrylic]

I think the "rules" of bringing your kids to polls may be the same everywhere.

(Example: What if you're the only one that can take care of them the whole day, and absolutely cannot leave them at home... does that mean you can't vote?)

I remember going to the polls when I was young. Where my parents voted, there was a little "Kids Voting" station in the next room, so it made it kinda fun. Maybe there will be the same type of thing over where you will be voting?

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

Turn to KidsVoting.org for more answers on this. Turns out that here in the state of Arizona a movement started by three business men that noticed in another nation adults voted more when the kids were involved. The Kids Voting Organization has moved from here to many other states. Children learn the views of their parents and parents seem to become more excited to vote and teach their kids. I couldn't find a law that said you couldn't do this. Maybe someone else can chime in. For me I think that it is important for our kids to understand the process that we go through to choose our leaders and vote on key issues. As some have stated they don't feel that the voting booth is a place for kids. I respect that. My thought is that you take children that will repect the rights of others and act in a civil manner toward those that are doing their civic duty.

[deckdoc]

I see no problems with children accompanying parents vote~ however some of the lines are quite long~ if you are looking at hours in line you may want to wait for a midterm election where the lines are less~ but you know your kids stand and wait ability better than others~ kids can be disruptive!

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by Bummer

Sorry, cflug, probably not the answer you want to hear, however . . .

I am a firm believer in "There's A Time And Place For Kids" and I do not feel a Polling Station is appropriate for young kids. Voting is a very serious process and requires concentration and attention . . . not a bunch of kids creating distractions.

I totally disagree with you, when we were growing up (back in the olden days) even our teachers incouraged us to accompany our parents to the polls. I remember for a month or so (like 3 years though) us discussing elections at the dinner table: my parents were of different parties. Election day was almost as important as family and religiuos holidays. Now, I will clarify, I see no reason to take toddlers to the polls, no you should find someone to watch them while you vote, if you can.

Nita

[The_Cadillac_Lawyer]

Originally Posted by Bummer

Sorry, cflug, probably not the answer you want to hear, however . . .

I am a firm believer in "There's A Time And Place For Kids" and I do not feel a Polling Station is appropriate for young kids. Voting is a very serious process and requires concentration and attention . . . not a bunch of kids creating distractions.

That's a ill-informed statement in my opinion. I took my twin 9 year old sons with me to vote, and drove us there in my classic 1964 Impala (that they just love), and made sure I pointed out to them that when this car was brand new "We didn't have the right" to vote in some parts of the country because of the color of our skin.
A little heavy for a 9 year old.........maybe, but they understood, and I want them to be involved in the process every step of way.