WeVoteHawaii — formerly Kids Voting Hawaii — is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, grassroots organization partnering with public, private, charter and home schools statewide.
WeVoteHawaii — formerly Kids Voting Hawaii — is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, grassroots organization partnering with public, private, charter and home schools statewide.
Its mission is two-fold: to prepare youth for a lifetime of voting and encourage adult voter participation.
WeVoteHawaii provides K-12 age-appropriate curriculum and classroom activities, that align with the Hawaii State Social Studies Standards, and address the ‘civic responsibility’ and ‘civic character’ measurements. High technology combines with civics lessons to inspire youth to explore general election candidates and issues, engage in dialogue with their peers and family, and prepare for a lifetime of voting.
An affiliate of Kids Voting USA, Kids Voting Hawaii was initiated in 1996, with support of Rotary Clubs statewide. In the first three general elections, more than 125,000 students voted at adult polling sites on paper ballots for only the major candidates. In the 2002 general election, Hawaii students were the first in the nation to vote statewide by computer, thanks to the cutting edge Internet technology of Commercial Data Systems.
Students log on to www.wevotehawaii.org and enter their precinct and district numbers, and receive virtually the same ballot their parents get, when they go to the adult polling places. In general election 2006, 97,500 students cast their ballots via the Internet.
In 2008, 119,756 students voted online. The 2010 general election attracted 108,486. In 2012, 120,066 students logged on to vote.
Students decided on a name and logo change in advance of the 2014 General Election: IMUA WeVoteHawaii!