As you are probably aware, today is Election Day in the United States. While most of the country will be voting on ballot questions and local government only, that’s all the more reason to go vote: because a lot of other people won’t, and democracies work better the more people participate. We on GeekDad encourage all U.S. citizens who are registered to vote to make sure to go to the polls today, regardless of which candidates and ballot questions you plan to vote for (or against).
We also encourage all parents who are going to vote, if your kids are old enough to understand what you’re doing, to bring them to the polling place with you. It’s a unique opportunity for them to see citizens — and, more specifically, you — exercise their right to participate in government. It’s the sort of experience that can stick in their heads and help foster an interest in government and politics. I can speak from personal experience here: my parents took me with them to the voting booth pretty much every year when I was growing up. That, combined with other things they did, like simply talking about the news at the dinner table, definitely helped make me as fascinated by the political process as I am today.
I’m not suggesting that you take your kids out of school if they don’t have today off — as many districts do — but if you can manage to take them with you after school, it’s something to consider. But even if you choose not to bring your kids, go out and be a good citizen: vote!
