RALEIGH, N.C. — With less than a week left until Election Day, kids are learning about the importance of voting. 

This week, all Chatham County Public Libraries are conducting youth elections — where children will share their voice as they “vote” in a mock election that mimics the real thing.

What You Need To Know

  • All Chatham County public libraries are conducting youth elections

  • Youth elections will continue Wednesday afternoon at the Wren Memorial Library in Siler City, and on Friday at the Goldston Public Library in Goldston

  • Results of the youth elections will be revealed on Nov. 8

Isabelle Lawler, 9, and her brother, Max Lawler, 11, take a huge interest in politics and the country’s voting process. 

“I've always like, why can't kids vote? Yeah, there's no good reason," Isabelle said. 

The siblings are both into school politics and are running for student body government.

This year, Max is running for class president at his elementary school. Isabelle said she is taking after her brother and running for class representative.

“I just kind of wanted to do it to be a good experience,” Isabelle said.

Isabelle and Max's father, Adam Lawler, said he knew he needed to take his kids to Chatham’s Youth Voting event.

Adam Lawler said this will not only help his children with their political journey in school, but it will also teach them how voting can impact their lives in the future. 

“I recall that, being young and having that being an impact on me and getting civically engaged at that point and saying, OK, well, what does this mean? And what did they do? How did they impact our lives?” Adam Lawler said.

The 2-hour event gives kids under age 18 a chance to vote in a mock election.

The Lawlers said organizers made the electoral process easy to understand, and Isabelle and Max can’t wait until they’re old enough to officially vote.

“I got 7 years. I’m pretty excited about that,” Max said.

Although their votes don’t officially count, Isabelle feels this is great practice. Max agrees and said he enjoys demonstrating his right to vote.

“It just feels that you have more freedom that way,” Max said.

The youth election will continue Wednesday afternoon at the Wren Memorial Library in Siler City, and on Friday at the Goldston Public Library in Goldston. Both events will be from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The results of the youth elections will be revealed on Nov. 8, 2024. The event is free and no registration is required.