COVID is adding to what first-time voters need to do to prepare to cast their first ballot. KVD youth leader Emma Busch has talked to the Durham Board of Elections and has some tips for new voters and other adults heading to the polls this fall!

SCROLL DOWN FOR ENGLISH Concurso de arte de Kids Voting: Jóvenes, díganles a todos en Durham por que deben votar ¡Hazle saber a Durham lo importante que es votar este otoño! Envía tu obra de arte original, poesía o vídeo sobre la importancia de la votación a Kids Voting Durham y aparecerás en las campañas de sacar el voto de Kids Voting en nuestra comunidad y en los medios de comunicación social, y ¡también tendrás la oportunidad de ganar una camiseta de Kids Voting! ¿Por qué? Porque los adultos y los jóvenes necesitan saber que en nuestra democracia su voto es su voz. Aunque los menores de 18 años aún no determinan quién será elegido, puedes ayudar animando a otros a votar y ayudando a la gente a participar en esta importante elección. ¿Que? Obras que no sean partidistas y que sean apropiadas para niños: Obra de arte original (Cuadrada: 1080 por 1080 pixeles (1:1 o cuadrado) O Video original de 1-minuto de duración O Una poesía o escritura corta ¿Quién? * TODO joven de 18 años o menos – queremos escuchar de todas las edades * Si gustan, los niños muy pequeños pueden presentar una obra de arte hecha….

Daily activities to keep your civic knowledge, skills, and spirit sharp while social distancing!

YOUTH CAN VOTE TOO 03.03.2020 Durham Youth, your KVD vote is your voice in this election!  Come out to a precinct with Kids Voting Tuesday, March 3, until 7:30 pm! Can’t make it to a polling site?  Vote online at www.kidsvotingdurham.org/elections anytime through Tuesday, 3/3 at 7:30 pm to have your vote included in the KVD total. KVD ELECTIONS PAGE – VOTE ONLINE! KVD YOUTH CANDIDATE GUIDE CONTACT US BY EMAIL

2020 SPRING ELECTION RESULTS Durham School Board and County Commissioner Elections This article will be updated throughout the day as we speak with more KVD youth voters about their experience and gather images from KVD voting. Over 3000 Durham youth have cast their votes in the Durham School Board and County Commissioners elections, and they have voted Alexandra Valladares as their top choice for Durham At-Large School Board, along with Jovonia Lewis & Xavier Cason in Consolidate d A & B. Paula Januzzi-Godfrey received 31% of the youth vote and Steve Unruhe 25%  Asked how they decided which candidate to vote for, a number of youth said that they found the candidates’ own websites and social media the most useful.  Others said they had talked with friends and family to help make their decision.   Durham’s adult voters also elected Alexandra Valladares to the At-Large School Board seat but by a wider margin than youth giving her 60% of the vote. In the County Commissioner primary race. those under 18 chose LeVon Barnes, an educator at DPS School for Creative Studies, as their top choice for those who should go on to the November election.  Nida Allam, Nate Baker, Matt Kopec….

Make Elections A Family Affair! Research shows that the biggest indicator of whether or not a child will grow up to be a regular, informed voter and engaged citizen is family involvement. So make elections a family affair! Here are some easy things you can do in the weeks leading up to Durham’s School Board Elections and primaries: LEARN ABOUT LOCAL GOVERNMENT Read the “What School Board and County Government does” sections of the KVD 2020 Spring Youth Candidate Guide (www.kidsvotingdurham.org/2020-spring-youth-candidate-guide ) and have family members “spy” when local government is part of your day.   Talk about how much County and School government affects each of your days.  LEARN ABOUT CANDIDATES & ELECTIONS TOGETHER View the candidate videos or read the candidate profiles at www.kidsvotingdurham.org/2020-spring-youth-candidate-guide and decide who you most agree with.  Use the Candidate Graphic Organizer available at www.kidsvotingdurham..org/elections to gather your thoughts. GET OUT THE VOTE! Did you know that only 5-15% of Durham adults usually turn out for local elections?  Make flyers about voting and post them on social media and in the community or throw your own “Family Voting Celebration” with the downloadable kit at www.kidsvotingdurham.org/parents TAKE ON AN ISSUE Decide what issues your family is….

GET YOUR VOTE ON! [

There is still time for kids to cast their vote in Durham’s Mayor and City Council Election!  If you are under 18, you can vote online at www.kidsvotingdurham.org/elections or at one of Durham’s precinct with a Kids Voting station on Election Day, Tuesday, November  5!  Kids can vote at any of these precincts (even if their parents or guardians are assigned to another precinct or early voted).  Go get your vote on!

Kids Voting 2019 Mayor and City Council elections have many opportunities for youth of all ages to participate in elections, earn service hours, and gain leadership experience and training — and have fun in the process! Contact Kids Voting Durham, info@kidsvotingdurham.org, 919.560.7321 or use the form at right for more information or to sign up. 

Filing for Durham City Council and Mayor candidates opens at 12 pm this Friday, July 5 at the Durham County Board of Elections.  How ready are you for Durham’s 2019 Mayor and City Council elections?  Take this quick Kids Voting quiz on Durham City Government to find out!