By RYAN SKAITH
St. Joseph Post
The St. Joseph Public Library will host a program on the basics of voting for teenagers Monday evening at the Downtown Library.
Evelyn Holtzclaw, Senior Library Assistant of Teen Services, says one goal of the program is to teach how important voting is. "We'll have a presentation to start out, where we break down the voting process. We go over a fake, local election."
Holtzclaw adds that she will also discuss some close presidential elections throughout history, including the 2000 election between George W. Bush and Al Gore.
The presentation will be followed by a simulation of an election. Holtzclaw emphasizes the candidates in the simulation will be imaginary, so as to not influence participants on the upcoming election.
After hearing information about the imaginary candidates, participants will then visit a mock polling station and cast their votes. The votes will be tallied and the winners announced.
To attend, students must be at least 14-years old. According to Holtzclaw, participants who are 17 ½ years of age or older will have the opportunity to register to vote at the end of the program. "We will have voting applications on hand."
The program will be held from 5:30 - 7:30 Monday evening, October 7, at the Downtown St. Joseph Public Library.
For more information visit sjpl.lib.mo.us.