I’ve taken my daughter with me to vote since I can remember. As she got older, we talked about why we vote, how advocacy and determination for change gave us the privilege of voting, candidates, issues and about opinions.
I want her to see the effort in trying to understand others and the world around me. And, that I take my one shot at potentially changing the way the future goes forward very seriously. It’s important that I take the time to research how I want my vote to count and what it stands for. We talk about the hard stuff because when the time comes, she’s got a fight to finish.
I can’t expect her to speak out without seeing me do it first. I want her to ask hard questions, fight for what she believes in, and use her voice to make real change possible. And, she could. If you could see this child argue, you would know she could. But, she needs to be properly guided as to how to use the gift she was blessed with.
The future depends on our children. That’s not our road to walk down. Just as the one we walk down now is borrowed from our parents. They laid the groundwork and it was up to us to pick up what we could (and wanted) to carry on down the road. To help solve the puzzles and fights they fought while being confronted with our own new threats. But, the work doesn’t stop there. We must not stop until our children know they cannot repeat history’s mistakes. We must be better. We must be clear. We must be active.
So, today we went to vote. She watched as I voted what was on my heart. Because they did. Because I can. Because we can. And, eventually, because they will.
Tips for Taking Your Kiddo to Vote:
- Even though your Election Day day duty is private, the government allows minor children to accompany their voting parents in every state.
- Texas Election Code states “a child under 18 years of age may accompany the child’s parent to a voting station.”
- Keep in mind, wireless communication devices aren’t permitted within 100 feet of voting stations. Simply put, we can’t distract our kiddos with cell phones or tablets.
- Grab a few ImagineInk coloring books to keep tiny hands busy during the process.
- If your child is small enough, consider baby wearing for a hands-free experience.
- Go to your polling place at non-peak hours when lines are shorter–late morning and mid-afternoon are usually best.
- Know your candidates and have a voting plan. Get in, get out, get your sticker. The kiddos love that part!
Taking your kids into the voting booth gives them a chance to see democracy in action and encourages them to think critically about what they see or hear on the news, social media, or sitting at the family dinner table.
For more information on voting in Texas, click here.
