News from the Senate Majority
Alaska State Legislature

Wendy Lindskoog, Senate Majority Press Secretary
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801-1182
Phone: 907/465-4582
http://www.akrepublicans.org
Broadcast Actualities: 800/478-6540

Legislature Supports Alaska Kid Vote Program

For Immediate Release: April 30, 1998 Contact: Mary Gore, Assistant to Senate President Mike Miller, at (907) 465-3803.

Juneau – The House unanimously passed legislation Thursday encouraging Alaskans to develop Kids Voting programs in their communities to help develop an involved and informed electorate in Alaska.

Senate President Mike Miller said he sponsored Senate Concurrent Resolution 22 to officially recognize and support the Kids Voting Alaska program. The Kids Voting Alaska program, which started in Fairbanks in 1992, provided the first municipal election voting experience for youth in the nation. The program gives young Alaskans a good understanding of democracy by encouraging them to participate in elections. It also helps to spur discussions at home with the family about the political process and current issues.

"By getting kids excited about elections and the political process, we help create a public that wants to be involved in making decisions affecting our state and nation," Miller said. "Not only does this program get kids involved, it’s getting parents involved as well. Kids are actually dragging their parents to the polls to vote."

"Informed voters make better decisions," said Miller.

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