Kids Voting is modeled after a similar program in Costa Rica, a strong democracy with a consistent voter turnout rate between 80 and 90 percent. For more than 40 years, the children of Costa Rica have learned about and practiced democracy in the classroom and home, and have accompanied their parent to the polls on Election Day to “vote” using their own ballot.

Kids Voting Kansas, an affiliate of Kids Voting USA®, began in 1992 in six Kansas communities. The program now encompasses over 50 communities with over 180,000 students.