I received an e-mail from an Indiana dad today who was put off when a poll worker told him his 13-year-old son was not allowed to stand in the voting booth with him while he selected his candidates. The boy had to stand off to the side. He wanted to know if there was a regulation in Indiana that states a child is not allowed in the voting booth.
I did a little research and found the 2008 Indiana Election Day Handbook and according to page 7 in a section called "Who is Allowed in the Polling Place," it states that voters casting ballots and children under 18 years of age accompanying the voter are allowed in the polling place. Technically, the polling place is not the voting booth but it didn't state anything to the contrary.
I encouraged this Hoosier to contact his local board of elections and inquire about such a regulation. Does anyone else have any advice or know of any voting regulation that says you can't take your children in the voting booth with you? I've never had any trouble taking my kids in with me.
I did a little research and found the 2008 Indiana Election Day Handbook and according to page 7 in a section called "Who is Allowed in the Polling Place," it states that voters casting ballots and children under 18 years of age accompanying the voter are allowed in the polling place. Technically, the polling place is not the voting booth but it didn't state anything to the contrary.
I encouraged this Hoosier to contact his local board of elections and inquire about such a regulation. Does anyone else have any advice or know of any voting regulation that says you can't take your children in the voting booth with you? I've never had any trouble taking my kids in with me.
9 comments:
as a homeschool mom trying to teach her kids how to be responsible citizens- i'm insensed! i have to say that i would put up a bit of a fight....
thanks for keeping this blog current, it really boils it down to the bottom line for a busy mom! you are appreciated :D
I live in Indiana and I took my little one (13 months) with me and had no problems on Tuesday. Well ok, one problem I did have was trying to get him to stand in one place as I filled out my ballot!
I enjoy reading your blog. Thanks for taking the time to keep it current.
I live in Virginia and took my 1 & 3 year old in with me when I voted and didn't have trouble. They were other moms there doing the same thing.
I learned how important it is to exercise your right to vote by being taken to the polls with my grandmother every election. She'd tote all five girls to the polls, and tell us what the issues were and why they were important. We cut our teeth on politics at the kitchen table.
My hubby and I always take our kids to the booth with us. Many times, if the polling place was not particularly busy, the poll workers would allow the kids to "vote" using a demonstration ballot. The kids always receive an "I have voted" sticker. They truly understand how vital it is to engage the kids and make it a positive experience. The person who pulled that little control trick and kicked the kid out of the polls ought to be banned from poll working for life!
If more people were motivated to bring their children to the polls, and yes, into the voting booth where they could see their parents cast their vote, we'd see the apathy in that 18-24 age group lessen dramatically. Now, that would really be a vote for change!
I recently worked the polls at my town budget vote in CT and we allowed children around the voting machine but did not allow them to cast the vote into the machine. When we had the old voting booths whcih we were mandated to get rid of last September, I am sure kids were casting votes behind the curtaibn and cranking that handle back.
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We need clarity on this rule and a posting at the polling place. My 8 year old was not allowed in the voting booth with me. This was in California.
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