Well, ready or not, Election Day is finally here. If you didn’t get a chance to take advantage of early voting, you’ll be heading to the polls tomorrow. Since 1845, the general election has been held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November, this year on November 5. education, maternal health and more. But what’s top of the list of purely practical things to consider? If you are allowed to bring your children with you to vote.
Maybe you work from home or stay home with your children and have limited access to any other child care. Or, sometimes, child care falls through, leaving you struggling with a last-minute “can I take them?” crisis. There are many reasons why parents might be curious about taking their children to vote, including wanting to share an incredibly important moment and teach them about civic responsibility all at once.
But is it legal to take your children to vote with you? Can they really go into the voting booth with you? To answer this and other frequently asked questions from parents on Election Day, Scary Mom reached out to Dr. Lindsay Cormack, associate professor of political science and director of the Diplomacy Lab at Stevens Institute of Technology. Cormac is a parent herself and the author of the just-released book How to develop citizens (and why it’s up to you).
Can your children vote with you?
Anyway, yes. However, be sure to contact your state elections office or ask your local poll worker about any specific restrictions or regulations in your area.
“Every state allows parents to bring their minor children to vote with them in some capacity. However, some states have restrictions on bringing them into polling places… For example, in Virginia, children under 15 can enter with an adult. polling stations, but older children are not allowed,” Cormack said, adding that “as long as children are with their parents and do not interfere with others or the conduct of the election, they should be welcome at most voting centers . “
Cormack noted that you can usually find information about local rules and regulations by searching online on state election websites. (But yes, “When in doubt, call your local election board ahead of time to avoid any surprises.”)
Is there a limit to the number of children you can bring?
Large families especially should make sure they are aware of any restrictions in their state. Cormack said some states do limit the number of children allowed. “In Maryland, only two children under the age of 18 can accompany their parents,” she said, giving an example.
Don’t stress too much, though. “Typically, when parents take their children to vote, election officials are happy to see them,” Cormack assured. “That’s why a lot of places have ‘Future Voters’ stickers.”
Why take your kids to vote?
So, aside from the logistics of childcare and needing to take your kids with you, what are some reasons why you “should” bring them along? Cormack said there are many reasons why taking your children to vote is beneficial.
“First, they’ll see you doing the most basic act in a democracy: voting. Second, they’ll become familiar with the places and processes involved, making it less intimidating when it’s their turn. Third, it helps Humanizing the political and government process because they see the people and the work that goes into making an election possible,” she said. “Finally, voting is a habit and is contagious; exposing them early increases the likelihood that they will participate themselves.
As Cormack emphasizes in his book How to develop citizens (and why it’s up to you)parents are key in shaping how their children understand politics. “While schools may teach the basics of citizenship, conversations at home can help children realize that politics is not just something on TV or in Washington, D.C., but affects their daily lives,” she explains. “With only a few election cycles until they reach voting age, it’s important to build healthy, participatory political discussions that spark questions and curiosity.”
