10/28/2004 - Kids Voting: I study the candidates and the issues

10/28/2004 - Kids Voting: I study the candidates and the issues
Also see George Bush and John Kerry: comparing backgrounds and issues

A six-week series
for students and parents
based on the Kids Voting curriculum

102804nietable

Activity: “Solutions”

Objective: Prepare to vote by comparing the candidates’ beliefs with your own.

What to do:

1. Think about the issues that are most important to you. Are you worried about the environment? Education? National security? The economy? Jobs? The war in Iraq? Fill in your top topics under the “Problems” column.

2. Now fill in the last column marked “Our Solutions.” What would YOU do about each of the problems in the first column?

3. Now take a look at the races listed below under “Candidates’ Web sites.” Pick out the race that interests you most. Select the two candidates in that race that you’d like to know more about. Fill in their names as “A” and “B.”

4. Using news reports and the Web sites, figure out what your “A” and “B” candidates think about the problems that are most important to you. To find out more about the candidates for president, you can also use the article below about George Bush and John Kerry by Smoky Mountain High School student Samantha Blanton. Fill in that information in the “A” and “B” columns.

5. Now compare YOUR solutions with your candidates. Who do you agree with most? Which one are you going to vote for?

Why learn this now: Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 2. If you haven’t already filled out your Kids Voting ballot early at a “one-stop” voting site, make sure your parents or guardians take you to the polls on Tuesday! Kids Voting tables will also be set up at all of Jackson County’s 18 precincts on Election Day. Adults that would like to volunteer to staff a table should call executive director Dave Baker at 586-1598.

Candidates’ Web sites: Listed below are the Internet addresses for some of the most-discussed races of this election season.

President/Vice President: www.johnkerry.com, www.georgewbush.com, badnarik.org

U.S. Senate: www.bowles2004.com, www.richardburr committee.com, baileyforsenate.com

U.S. House of Representatives, District 11: www.keeverfor congress.com, www.taylorforcongress.com

N.C. Governor: www.mikeeasley.org, ballantinefor governor.com, votehowe.com

N.C. Lieutenant Governor: www.bevperdue.com, www.elect jimsnyder.com, votecole.us

N.C. Senate, District 50: www.snowforsenate.com (No campaign sites available for Bob Carpenter or Ben Lamm)

N.C. House of Representatives, District 119: (No campaign sites available for Phil Haire or Marge Carpenter)

Court of Appeals Judge: www.alanthornburg.com, www.barbarajackson.org

District Court Judge, District 30: www.judgeleslie.com, sybilmann.com