New Mexican children vote in the biggest children’s presidential election in the state’s history.

Every Child Matters in New Mexico sponsored presidential elections all across the state from Alamogordo to Lordsburg and from Albuquerque to Roswell. “Daddy I voted!” cried a little girl who ran across the room to the voting booth where he was filling out his own ballot. Two little girls voted in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque dressed as a fairy princess and an angel. One five-year-old boy was so excited about voting that he slept with the flyer under his pillow.

Early voting for kids began on Step Up For Kids Day at the State Fair on September 16 and wrapped up on November 1st. The October 25 children’s election was hosted by both the Bernalillo County Clerk's Office and ECM. Kids had the opportunity to vote for president as well as their favorite flavor of ice cream at five of the early voting sites in Albuquerque. Their ballot was specially designed by the county clerk’s staff to be counted in official ballot counting machines. Pictures were provided for those too young to read.

Several families reported that they were voting early because their children could vote, too. Some people who came to vote early brought their kids because they wanted them to learn and to feel engaged in such an important civic duty. Once they arrived they were happy to discover that their kids could vote, too. Sometimes they called their friends and told them to bring over their families. Poll officials loved the event. One poll judge called his grandchildren and had them come in to vote.

On November 1st , five Bernalillo County public libraries held elections with all eight presidential candidates with their pictures on the ballots. While more than 1,500 kids voted Every Child Matters in New Mexico sponsored children’s polling places, there were numerous schools and children’s organizations that also help elections. We hope that what children learned this year will stick with them and they will continue to be engaged in our special democratic process as adults.

Results of Children's Election: