On November 4, 2008, Election Day, a segment of the community not eligible to vote had the opportunity to participate in a mock election.
As part of a national program called Kids Voting, Gila River students in Kindergarten through 12th grade were given ballots and the opportunity to be apart of the democratic process. Kids Voting began as part of an idea of three Arizona business men on a fishing trip to Costa Rica. While in Costa Rica they noticed a 90% voter turn out which was attributed to parents taking their children to polling places.
In 1993, Gila River was the first tribe to include Kids Voting along with the tribal election. The program is largely administered by the Akimel O'odham/Pee-Posh Youth Council which usually sets up polling booths separate from the adult booths but in the same precinct. This year Michael Preston, Youth Council Coordinator said, "We didn't have enough people to man the booths."
The youth council set up booths in Districts 1, 4, 5, 6, and 7. Although the outcome has no affect on the general election it gives the responsibility of making critical decisions to youth and gets them started early in knowing the election process. Current results of Kids Voting were not available for Gila River.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|