If young children were able to vote, what issues do you think they would care about? Children are our future and our greatest resource. They represent 25 percent of Alaska’s population and 100 percent of our future. Yet, they have no voice when it comes to the many decisions our elected officials make every day.
As a nonpartisan organization, thread advocates for all families to have access to affordable, high-quality early childhood education. This November, 50 seats in the Alaska State Legislature are up for election, with candidates making crucial decisions about Alaska’s children. There is a lot at stake this election season, with children and families at the center of many policy discussions. Because children can’t vote and express their voice, thread encourages you to use your voice to Vote for Kids.
What is Vote for Kids?
Vote for Kids was created by the Alaska Children’s Trust (ACT) as a grassroots community movement focused on continually raising awareness of the needs and challenges of children, youth, and families during elections. This initiative was designed to ensure that children of all ages become a priority for all candidates. Learn more here.
How You Can Make a Difference
There are numerous ways you can give children a voice during this election season.
- Know the candidates: Attend candidate forums, read candidate surveys, and meet with candidates to ask questions about issues affecting children and families.
- Download questions from ACT here
- Update your voter registration information: It is always a good idea to make sure your registration is current and that you are being accurately represented in Juneau.
- Click here or Click Here to check if you are currently registered to vote. (Tip: Make sure to use your full name).
- Click here to update your voter registration information (Tip: it only takes 5 minutes online if you use your Alaska driver’s license).
- Keep your voting options open and make sure your vote counts. Request a mail ballot here. (Tip: The number one reason people forget to vote is because they couldn’t find time or get sick on election day. Keep your options open and request a mail ballot!)
- Important dates and deadlines (Tip: Scroll down to September and October to see relevant upcoming dates)
- Download the Vote for Kids Election Guide: Created by ACT, the 2020 Election Guide contains details about the impact of voting this election season, more ways to get involved, advocacy tips, and more!
- Click here to download
Be an Advocate for Early Childhood Education
Get to know the issues surrounding early childhood education and take action on behalf of children and families in Alaska.
- Sign up for thread’s Action Center to receive alerts on national, state, and local legislation that will affect children and families.
- Use thread’s Advocacy Tools to start your advocacy.
- Check your voter registration status here.
Join thread by November 5 and vote with the needs of young children in mind. Remember our promise: Investing in high-quality early care and learning benefits all Alaskans. Commit to #VoteForKidsAK!