10 Facts About Voting for Kids – How Citizens Choose Leaders

This article contains fun facts about voting for children and students of all ages. This article can help guide teachers, parents and students on the importance of voting in a democracy.

Think about voting like this: your class has to decide between two games, so everyone gets to fairly vote for which game they prefer, the majority that gets the most votes wins fair and square. That’s how voting works in countries around the world, people come together and get to make a choice fairly. 

Introduction – Why Voting Matters

Have you ever wondered why voting matters or is important? If not, let me tell you, voting is how people come together to make a decision in a democratic government (rule by the people). Think about voting as everyone being given a turn to raise their hand to make a decision together. Do you now  understand what voting is?

Fact 1 – Voting Is How We Make Decisions Together

Did you know voting is how we make decisions together? People vote in various scenarios like:

• Homes: What everyone will have for dinner 
• Classrooms: Which pizza will be ordered for the class party 
• Cities: Which mayor will be elected to take care of the city
• Countries: Which laws and countries need to come together for the betterment of the people

Fact 2 – Not Everyone Could Vote in the Past

In history, not everyone could vote for what they believed in or wanted, only rich men could vote. Everything changed when people began to stand up for their rights and over time the efforts started to pay off. People started gaining the right to vote:

• People of colour got the right to vote from 1870 onwards as well
• Women started to get the right to vote from 1920 onwards in the United States of America. 
• Young adults were given the right to vote from late 1971 onwards

Fact 3 – In the U.S., You Must Be 18 to Vote

For young adults the voting age is set to 18 years old in the United States. Teenagers under 18 cannot cast their vote in national elections, but they are encouraged to understand their voting rights. Schools and classrooms often hold mock elections to make students understand the importance of their vote and voice.

Fact 4 – Every Vote Counts

Did you know even a single vote can make a difference in a close election? Imagine everyone in your classroom is voting for what movie should be watched; there is a tie between the amount of votes, until the last student votes for one of the movies, changing the decision entirely. This is why voting is very important.

Fact 5 – Secret Ballots Keep Choices Private

Voting is anonymous, which means no one knows who you voted for in national or local elections. Voting is conducted this way to maintain fairness and honesty between the candidates standing for elections.

Fact 6 – People Don’t Just Vote for Presidents

You might think voting is only done for national elections but that’s not true. Voting is done for selecting governors, mayors, senators and even local leaders, etc. People can come together to vote for a passing of a law or the school budget, etc. Think about it like choosing your sports captain. Everyone casts their vote into a ballot box privately, and the person with the most votes wins!

Fact 7 – Voting Happens in Many Countries

Voting exists all over the world and it only takes place in countries that follow democracy (rule by the people). Voting around the world can look different as many countries have different laws from one another.

Fact 8 – Voting Symbols Help People Understand Elections

Symbols are commonly used while voting. In many countries different political parties have different symbols to make it easier for people to cast their vote for the right party. There are “I Voted” stickers, checkmark boxes and even stamps that represent that you have voted. 

Fact 9 – Kids Can Practice Voting Too

Kids can practice voting in classrooms as well! When the classroom cannot decide on something, you can suggest voting to make the decision fair. For teenagers, mock elections are held to make them feel prepared for voting, this is a good way to ease them into understanding the importance of voting.

Fact 10 – Voting Is a Responsibility and a Right

Everyone, including you, needs to understand that voting is your responsibility and your right. Educating yourself about who to vote for and what you’re voting for is very important, so your vote goes towards the right cause and people. In a democracy, you should be prepared to vote from the legal age of 18.

Fun Voting Activities

Here are 3 fun voting activities that can be done in classrooms or even at home to teach children the concept of voting and why it’s important: 

• Classroom Activity: Voting on Games, books, snacks, colours 
• Classroom Activity: Design a fun “I Voted” Sticker 
• Home activity: Voting on what is made for dinner 

Conclusion 

Voting inspires all of us because it enables everyone to make a choice together and in complete fairness. Kids you might not be the age to vote yet, but it is still important to learn about the struggles of earning the right to vote by people like minorities and women. Voting is considered as a voice and one day your voice will bring change to this world and your country!

Frequently Asked Questions