Making All Voices Heard

With the election coming up on April 5, we’ve been receiving phone calls asking us how we plan to vote on Election Day.

One call was from Smokefree O’Fallon, an organization seeking to ban smoking in O’Fallon businesses. The smoking sections of most restaurants are laughable, usually with only a short partition separating the smokers from the non-smokers. I enthusiastically agreed to allow them to place a sign in our yard and a few days later it appeared.

“What’s that?” E asked.

“It’s a sign that says we support no smoking in O Fallon,” I replied.

“Oh, why?”

“It’s to let people know how we’re going to vote on that issue in the election and hope they will vote that way too.”

E thought for a moment, “Like an election for president?”

“Kind of,” I said, “But we will be voting on things that impact us here in our city.”

At school E and C were very excited about the last presidential election. They learned in class about the candidates and they even had a mock presidential election at their school. They were so thrilled to come home and tell us who they voted for. C even ran for first grade class president this year.

We sat down and wrote a speech about what he wanted to do for his class and the school. The main theme of the short speech was his desire to “make people happy.” He lost the race, but it was a great experience and we were happy to see him wanting to get involved.

If you want your kids to get interested in the voting process, talk to them about the issues. Not only will you get to hear your child’s opinions, but they will have the chance to have their voices heard and express their ideas. Don’t force your views on your kids. Allow them to form their own opinions.  If their views on certain issues differ from yours, it’s the perfect opportunity to show how voting is a way to express those differences of opinion respectfully, without conflict.

Let them know that voting affects them long before they’re able to head to the polls themselves. For example, voting yes on will free up almost $4 million in the Fort Zumwalt School District’s operating fund, which is used to pay for school supplies and equipment, and the salaries of employees.

I’ve always believed in leading by example. When the boys were 1- and 3-years-old, I strapped them into the car and drove to the local fire department where I stood in line with a baby in a carrier and a cranky toddler while I waited for my turn in the booth. I tried to explain what we were doing, but I wasn’t a singing purple dinosaur and they weren’t having it.

But I still believe exposing kids early is important. Take them with you when you vote. You could even create a kid-friendly ballot for them to use. At home, you could have a mock election where you can vote on such important issues as extended TV time, types of vegetables served at dinner, and raises in allowance.

The best lesson I think we take away from voting is that every person’s opinion counts. No matter what the outcome, making your mark and casting your ballot means that you’ve made your voice heard. The results will affect all of us, whether it’s when the school has to eliminate positions due to limited funds, or during an evening meal that’s enjoyed without the wafting scent of cigarette smoke.

Tell your kids their opinion matters and the best way to make it count is to vote.