Broward County students ready to Vote 2012
Submitted By Nadine Drew
With Election Day less than a week away, early voting is already underway in Broward County Public Schools (BCPS). Students have been learning everything from the workings of a two-party system, the Electoral College, how democracy functions, differences between candidates, and most importantly, the voting process.
In line with the national early voting schedule, students started voting on Oct. 26, 2012 with their polls closing at 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 5.
BCPS will observe Kids Voting Week, Oct. 26 – Nov. 2, in partnership with Kids Voting Broward (KVB), affiliated with Kids Voting USA (KVUSA), to promote the upcoming election. All Broward County public school students, kindergarten through 12th grade, will have the opportunity to cast their votes online through Virtual Counselor at (www.browardschools.com/virtualcounselor).
Students will vote for the candidate of their choice in several races, including the President, U.S. Senate and House, State Legislature, School Board, State Attorney, Broward Sheriff and Broward County Commission. In addition to general election decisions, students will also be weighing in on local school topics, which will also be on their ballots.
For example, elementary school students will decide if their school should have an air-conditioned gym and if students should be able to choose to eat lunch inside or outside with their friends. Their middle school counterparts will give their opinion on whether they should have access to vending machines during school hours and if study hall should be offered as an elective to accommodate students’ busy schedules.
High school students will be voting on whether the state should continue class size requirements even at a cost to taxpayers and if school lunches should include more healthy options, even at a higher cost. They’ll also voice an opinion on this year’s modified high school schedule.
Kids Voting Week election results will be announced by the end of Election Day, Nov. 6.
About BCPS
BCPS is the sixth largest public school system in the United States, the second largest in the state of Florida and the largest fully accredited K-12 and adult school district in the nation.
BCPS has over 260,000 students and approximately 175,000 adult students in 232 schools and education centers and 83 charter schools. For more information about BCPS, visit (www.browardschools.com). Follow BCPS on Twitter (@Browardschools). Find us on Facebook at (www.facebook.com/browardschools). Find out what’s happening in BCPS at (www.browardschools.com/happenings).
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