The Indiana Bar Foundation announced on Tuesday the successful expansion of its Indiana Kids Election (IKE) program, which engaged over 18,000 students which included a statewide mock election.
The mission of this nonpartisan program is to help students understand the role and importance of voting in our republic and to encourage eligible students to register to vote in the actual elections. This fall, 165 schools participated in the Indiana Kids Election, marking an impressive increase from the 22 schools that joined the pilot program in 2022.
“We are incredibly pleased with the enthusiasm from schools, teachers, and students across the state,” Indiana Bar Foundation President and CEO Charles Dunlap said. “With more than 200 educators registering, the success of this year’s Indiana Kids Election shows how committed our schools are to preparing young people for active citizenship.”
The Indiana Bar Foundation provided free, comprehensive K-12 lesson plans crafted by Indiana teachers and an online voting simulation platform to replicate the voting process. The 2024 ballot included the candidates for U.S. President, Indiana Governor, Senate, and Attorney General, giving students a realistic voting experience.
Funded by a grant from the Eli Lilly and Company Foundation, the Indiana Kids Election is part of the Foundation’s mission to strengthen civic education across Indiana. The Indiana Bar Foundation is grateful for the support of teachers, students, and sponsors who helped make this year’s election a success.
About the Indiana Bar Foundation
The Indiana Bar Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization founded in 1950. The Foundation has emerged as a statewide and national leader in expanding civic education and contributing to an accessible civil legal system for all Indiana residents. The Foundation aspires to be a premier statewide charitable organization and trusted partner for advancing civic literacy and the legal system. For more information, visit inbarfoundation.org.