Election Day

Learn about Election Day and enjoy some video book read alouds and activities while the library is only open for voting.

Election Day refers to the day on which general elections in the United States are held. Presidential elections are held every 4 years and the elected president will then be sworn in and take office the following January 20th, a day known as Inauguration Day. Election Day in the United States is always held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November.

Watch Kristen Bell and Rosanna Pansino help Riah and her team of Kid Correspondents understand the basics of what happens on election night, how voting works, and what kids can do to participate.

Everyone is eager to find out who will be elected President: the incumbent, Republican Donald Trump, or the challenger, Democrat Joe Biden. To win the presidency, a candidate must get the majority of the electoral votes. Learn how electoral votes are divided up based on population. Discover which states are blue states, which are red states and which are considered battleground states that are most likely to swing the election. Learn how, because of the pandemic, election results will be different this year and we will have to wait longer than in other elections to find out who will be our next president. 

Would you want to be president? If you ran for president, you would have to do a lot of hard work. You would study the nation’s problems, tell the American people about your platform, select a running mate, and debate your opponents on live television. Learn more in the video read aloud of the book, "If I Ran For President", written by Catherine Stier, illustrated by Lynne Avril Cravath and read by Lonnie Chavis, Parker Bates and Mackenzie Hancsicsak.

Learn about the concept and practice of voting, with a focus on the American Presidency. with the Cat in the Hat in the book, "One Vote, Two Votes, I Vote, You Vote", written by Bonnie Worth and illustrated by Aristides Ruiz and Joe Mathieu.

Wave your flags! It's time to vote! And the big question is: Who will be our next president? Watch the video read aloud of the book, "The Night Before Election Day", written by Natasha Wing and illustrated by Amy Wummer to hear a young citizen gives her take on politics and Election Day. 

Grace Campbell wonders why no girls have ever been president of the United States. In the video read aloud of the book, "Grace for President", written by Kelly DiPucchio and illustrated by LeUyen Pham, Grace and her classmates learn how states vote in the electoral college and that it takes more than just making promises to be elected president.

Amelia Bedelia learns all about voting and elections at her first school election in the video read aloud of the book, "Amelia Bedelia's First Vote", written by Herman Parish and illustrated by Lynne Avril.

Every morning, Abuelo walks Sofia to school . . . until one day, when Abuelo hurts his ankle at a local landfill and he can no longer do so. Sofia (aka Sofi) misses her Abuelo and wonders what she can do about the dangerous Mount Trashmore. Then she gets an idea—the town can turn the slimy mess into a park! She brainstorms and plans and finally works up the courage to go to City Hall—only to be told by a clerk that she can’t build a park because she’s just a kid! Sofia is down but not out, and she sets out to prove what one kid can do. Be inspired when you watch the video read aloud of "Sofia Valdez, Future Prez", written by Andrea Beaty and illustrated by David Roberts. 

Lion may be King of the jungle, but lately he only seems to care about himself. His subjects are fed up, so they decide to try something new - hold an election! Once Owl explains the rules, the fun begins, and Snake, Sloth, and Monkey all announce they will be candidates. Watch the video read-aloud of "The  President of the Jungle", written and illustrated by André Rodrigues,  Larissa Ribeiro, Paula Desgualdo, and Pedro Markun, for a funny introduction to how elections work. 

Then click the book image below for printable activity sheets about voting to go along with the book.

Follow Duck on his road to the presidency of the United States. Unhappy with the working conditions on the farm, Duck campaigns to put himself in charge, and wins! Destined for bigger, if not better, he proceeds to become governor and sets his sights on the highest office in the nation. Have fun watching duck make his way up in the world in the animated video retelling of the book, "Duck for President", written and illustrated by Doreen Cronin. 

or perhaps you would prefer this animated video retelling.

For a simple introduction to voting, watch Steve Carrell, Abby, and Elmo vote on a snack in this Sesame Street video.

"Vote, Vote, Vote? Who's Next?" is a new song from Hip Hop Harry that teaches children and parents alike what voting is and why it may be important.

Click on the image below to Follow the instructions from the book, "Trash Origami", written by origami master Michael G. LaFosse, to make an origami ballot box out of a brown lunch bag. 

Or follow along with the below video to make an origami ballot box out of a 8 1/2" x 11" piece of paper.

Feel like coloring? Click on the image to print out this Vote Coloring Page at home.

What video, book, or activity was your family favorite? Take a vote!

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