In Cromwell, even the youngest residents had the chance to vote during the midterm elections.
While adults cast votes for governor, Congress members and local offices, children had the chance to vote on ballots of their own and choose their favorite zoo animal.
Ballot clerk Mertie Terry said the United States has the most wonderful democracy in the world and this gave children a chance to take part.
“If we don’t start teaching children how precious that is when they’re very young, then how do we expect them to come out and support this government,” she said.
Children filled in a bubble under Emily the Elephant, Sam the Penguin, Doug the Mouse or Melissa the Duck, folded the ballot so the vote remains a secret until it’s counted and placed it in a box.
Nine-year-old Leah White voted and revealed that she picked Emily the Elephant.
“Because elephants are really big and they're strong and I think they’re the most popular animals in the zoo,” she said.
Local
Her father, Hunter White, said he thought the idea of a ballot for children was a great one and shows the importance of the voting process.
The zoo animal ballot was so popular that the polling location ran out, so Terry took names and addresses to send "absentee ballots." Once the votes are tallied she will announce the winner.
“It was really cool seeing who could vote for,” Leah White said.
