Online election resources for kids -- and adults, too

Some smaller public libraries interfile all the children's and adult nonfiction books in one sequence. As an adult user, I always liked this idea because it enabled me to find easy books on topics I knew very little about.

Gail Junion-Metz, librarian and popular presenter here at the North Suburban Library System, recently wrote a column in School Library Journal about online election resources for kids. It caught my eye because there is a lot about the election process that is confusing to me. Also, with our national election headlining the news, it's great timing for educating everyone in the practices, the philosophy and even the intricacies of our democratic system. Here's a sampling from Metz's election recommendations:

Starting with the basics visit the Library of Congress site, "Elections-The American Way" at memory.loc.gov/learn/features/election/home.html.

The Web site has five sections and covers candidates, voters, party system, election process and issues. Here's where you can find the answer to the question about why California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger cannot run for president.

For more information on the hard-to-understand Electoral College visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/electoral-college/index.html. Here you will find out how a candidate can win the popular vote and still not be elected president.

Another especially kid-friendly site for general information about how we elect the president and other officials is "Ben's Guide to the U.S Government - Election Process" at bensguide.gpo.gov/3-5/election/index.html. For election information written for kids in sixth through 12th grade, click on one of the kites at the top of the home page.

Lest any American think participating in elections is optional, visit "The Democracy Project" at pbskids.org/democracy/.

This site, created by the Public Broadcasting Service, contains three interactive activities that will teach kids why it's important to take part in elections. The first activity, "Be President for a Day," lets kids decide how they'll spend their day as president (as well as show them how some real presidents spent their days). The second activity, "How does the Government Affect Me?," teaches kids all the different ways our government affects their lives. (Click on the schoolhouse to find out how many different ways government laws and regulations affect how kids learn and play.) The third activity, "Step inside the Voting Booth" teaches kids why one vote can make a difference and lets them cast their vote, based on which issue facing the United States they think is the most important.

As you can tell, learning about the election process can be fun. Visit The New York Times "Election 2008" site at www.nytimes.com/learning/issues_in_depth/20080204.html.

For links to printable and online versions of election-related NYT crossword puzzles, and lots of carefully selected election/political Web links, just click on the link for the NYT's "Politics Navigator." The "Election Guide 2008" link on the right side of the home page is a great reference resource for librarians as well.

Wondering what a "dark horse" is, or a "red state" or a "super delegate?" Check out the coolest election-related resource on the Web at www.weeklyreader.com/election/.

It's Weekly Reader's "Election Word Wheel." Find definitions for most of the political and election terms heard on the news.

Finally, for more information on how to register to vote or how important it is to vote, have a look at www.rockthevote.org/home.php.

If you have a teen at home that will turn 18 on or before Nov. 4, they can register to vote now for the election. The best quick local information for voter registration can be found at your County Clerk Web site:

• Suburban Cook: www.voterinfonet.com

• Lake: www.co.lake.il.us/CNTYCLK

• Kane: www.co.kane.il.us/coc

• DuPage: www.dupageco.org/countyclerk