Tucson's 402 voting locations were swamped yesterday when thousands of Tucson youths led their parents to the polls.

As a part of Kids Voting Arizona, a program designed to educate kindergarten through high school students about the election process, the youths were able to go to polling stations with their parents and fill out a mock ballot, said John Stannagel, communication junior and Kids Voting Arizona area administrator.

Stannagel said Kids Voting Arizona compiles election information for first through 10th-grade teachers to work into their curriculum prior to the voting process. Instructors then encourage their students to accompany their parents to the voting locations.

"The program teaches the history behind the voting process and gives the kids a reason to become interested in the election," he said.

The children then use their knowledge to fill out their own ballot in a simulated voting situation.

"I think it is important for kids to experience the voting process because they feel they're able to help make the decisions," said Joan Martin, a voting parent who brought her children with her to the Trinity Presbyterian Church voting location at 400 E. University Blvd.

"If children practice voting now, they will realize how important voting is when they get older," she said.

All youth who came with a parent, including those who had not experienced the school curriculum of Kids Voting Arizona, were allowed to fill out a ballot.

Martin's 8-year-old daughter Sadie sat at her own voting station while her mother cast her ballot.

"I came with my mom and I am having fun," Sadie said.

To oversee the process, 150 volunteers from the University of Arizona's Greek community were at the voting sites.

Nick Frei, undeclared freshman and member of Phi Gamma Delta, helped the young voters register their name and collected their ballots.

"Children are now able to care more about the election, and kids like to feel important," he said.

Frei, who participated in Kids Voting Arizona as a youth himself, said he was anxious to help other children have the same experiences he had.

"It's neat to see what kids think about the election," he said.

Based out of Phoenix, Kids Voting Arizona has been educating the community's youth since 1988.

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