Kids Vote, Too originated in Okaloosa County, Florida with current Supervisor of Elections Pat Hollarn. Mrs. Hollarn, noted around the world as one of the leading elections experts, sought to include the student population in her voter education program. Her goal was simple.... to build and reinforce a life-long interest in the individual's participation in our democratic Republic.

Our philosophy is that without the continued intense participation of individual citizens, the concept of such representative government is eroded, and conscientious election administrators, school districts and others across the country should recognize their obligation to stem this tide.

Here is the history of the efforts in Okaloosa County since its inception:

• In 1989, Pat Hollarn, Supervisor of Elections, researched materials that had been used in other parts of the country for similar school-based programs. The State of Ohio had a wonderful and substantive one, and she received permission to use it in whole or part. It was primarily directed at high schools, so her first approach was with the secondary social studies teachers. Two or three high schools in the area adopted the program, and that was a beginning. Over the next few years, all gradelevels began utilizing the program and it began to broaden.
   
• With the combined efforts of Carol DeBolt, in charge of Newspapers in Education at the Northwest Florida Daily News, and Dr. Mabel Jean Morrison, retired Assistant Superintendent of Schools, Mrs. Hollarn came up with the official Kids Vote, Too program in 1998 and formed the program's volunteer committee.
   
• The biggest change occurred in 1998, as the volunteer committee approached the school board and asked that the program be taken on through the school system, which would insure 100% participation in all schools. As the program by now included many facets required by the Sunshine Standards, and the fact that we promised continued private funding, the school board and the superintendent approved this change.
   
• Mrs. Hollarn assumed responsibility for the fund raising, while Ms. DeBolt and Dr. Morrison provided the teacher in-service. They worked tirelessly with a system-wide school coordinator in both 1998 and 2000 and the success of the program grew beyond their expectations.
   
• In 2000, additional voting equipment was rented so high school and middle school students could vote on the same machines as their parents. A hugely successful high school political rally was conducted at the Okaloosa Walton Community College Arts Center. In 2002, another giant leap forward was made by having internet voting in all the high schools.
   
• In 2004, internet voting was available on general election day for all students, K-12, culminating a six-week civics and government curriculum. Our internet vendor aided us in voting almost 20,000 students in a single school day. Many of the students will have been participating for ten years, and our hope is that will be the basis for life-long civic participation.
   
• While 2005 did not have a major election cycle, Kids Vote, Too stayed right on track. Will U. Vote's name was introduced as the official program mascot and our web site www.kidsvote-okaloosa.com was unveiled at a launch party held with the help of the School District and the Northwest Florida Daily News.
   
• 2008 has already proven to be an exciting year for the program. Not only are we planning another successful internet voting project, but we launched Teens Vote, Too. Teens Vote is a spin-off that is geared specifically toward high school students. For more information on this new program, check out www.teensvote-okaloosa.com.