How do we vote?

But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids

Vermont Public

Nature, Language, Kids & Family, Science

4.4 • 4.9K Ratings

🗓️ 18 October 2024

⏱️ 24 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Election Day in the United States is November 5 this year and election officials across the country are already hard at work setting up polling places and processing mail in ballots. Even if you’re not old enough to vote, you can be part of the process. You can watch voting machines be tested, observe the polling places on Election Day, or even watch votes be counted once the polls close. (Sometimes there are livestreams so you can watch from the comfort of your own home!) For this episode on how voting works, But Why stopped by the South Burlington City Hall on the day vote tabulators were being prepared. Plus we meet Vermont’s top election official, Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas. Have you asked an adult to take you to the polls yet?

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Transcript

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0:00.0	You're going to go. This is, but why, a podcast for Curious Kids from Vermont Public.
0:25.0	I'm Jane Lindholm.
0:26.5	On this show, we take questions from Curious Kids Just Like You, and we find answers.
0:31.8	Today we're going to continue learning about U.S. federal elections
0:35.8	on November 5th this year.
0:38.0	Registered voters will cast votes for president and vice president,
0:41.5	senators, congressional representatives, and many local offices.
0:46.3	Election season is often a time when adults around us, not to mention radio stations,
0:51.8	TV stations, and internet shows seem to be talking a lot about politics.
0:57.2	Political candidates, political parties, and how we all feel about the country.
1:02.0	Sometimes these conversations get kind of tense,
1:05.0	especially when people disagree. We are definitely not getting tense or
1:09.6	angry in our
1:15.0	goal is to talk about the candidates or actually even the issues.
1:16.0	We're talking about the process.
1:18.0	Our goal is to help you, and maybe your adults too,
1:22.0	understand how and why we vote, and today what kinds of safeguards
1:26.6	are in place to make sure our voices are heard and our votes are secure.
1:31.3	We asked University of Kentucky political scientist Bridget King whether or not we can be
1:36.0	confident about U.S. elections.
1:38.8	There are processes among processes among processes to ensure the sanctity of our votes and the sanctity of our
1:46.7	ballots so that when the outcomes are announced at the end of an election they
	...

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