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[Photos from Jasper County, Newton County Clerks' offices/Provided by Secretary of State's office]

Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson was the featured guest speaker in Ms. Bobbi Hall’s fourth grade classroom at Jackson Elementary in Valparaiso Thursday. The class is participating in Indiana Kid’s Elections, which gives students hands-on experience by participating in mock elections. Secretary Lawson talked  to the children about  civic participation and voting.  Lawson's office says the Secretary of State, Indiana's Chief Elections Officer, also visited Newton and Jasper Counties as part of meeting with clerks in each county to ensure they're prepared for Election Day, November 6.  Here's the full news release:

Secretary of State Connie Lawson educates students about elections
Fourth graders at Jackson Elementary School learn about election

INDIANAPOLIS (Oct. 19, 2012) – Yesterday, Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson taught a class of young Hoosiers about Indiana’s electoral process and about the importance of voting. The Jackson Elementary fourth-grade class taught by Ms. Bobbi Hall is participating in Indiana Kid’s Elections, a mock election program sponsored by the Secretary of State’s office, the Indiana Department of Education and the State Bar Association.

Indiana Kid’s Election provides students in grades K-12 with the hands-on experience of voting in a class or school-wide mock election. Students learn to develop good voting habits at an early age by participating in voting milestones such as registering to vote and casting a ballot on Election Day.
 
“Our young Hoosiers are the foundation for Indiana's long-term success," said Secretary of State Connie Lawson. "Through Indiana Kids’ Election, we can help the next crop of leaders see up close the importance of civic participation and that elections are decided by those who show up."

On November 6, students participating in Indiana Kid’s Elections will elect their own governor and president in a show of active citizenship through the Indiana Kid’s Election mock election program. The students have accurately predicted the outcome of the election every year since the program started.

Teachers are encouraged to access the comprehensive curriculum guides and materials, free of charge, leading up to the 2012 general election at www.IndianaKidsElection.org . Note: The IKE curriculum meets state academic standards and was developed by a team of Indiana educators.

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