Most children know who the current president is and some have a general understanding that it took votes from people all across the country to get him into office. However, not all children (or adults!) realize that there are dozens of candidates who run organized campaigns in an effort to secure a seat in an elected office. Understanding the importance of voting from a young age can help to instill a sense of interest in our government and the people we put into office to make it all tick. Here is some advice on how to get your entire family educated and interested the election process:

1.) To inform yourself and your family – One of the most essential roles that a debate can play in the voting process is in the education of where candidates stand on topics that are personally important to yourself and your family. By making it a priority to watch the Atlanta Press Club Loudermilk-Young Debate Series, you are making a choice to remain informed.

2.) To discuss the importance of voting – The act of voting is an incredibly powerful right and one of the most important ways that your family can have an impact on how our government works.

3.) To learn about relevant local issues – While it’s true that not all kids will care about healthcare reform or the Keystone Pipeline, every debate will present a unique agenda of issues that can affect everyone. Whether it’s the Braves

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moving to Cobb County or Common Core, there are bound to be one or two topics that peak the interest of the entire family.

4.) To inspire a future a leader – Watching the debate process unfold can be an inspiring experience. Openly expressing an idea in an environment that instantly calls for a rebuttal from someone with an opposing opinion takes a great deal of confidence. Allowing your family to understand how a debate works can spark a healthy method of dealing with conflict and might just inspire a future leader in your own child.

Want to get started getting informed? Bookmark GPB's election 2014 page to stay up to date on candidate news; save the debate dates: here is the schedule.  Friend the Atlanta Press Club's Facebook page and follow the press club Twitter feed using the hashtag #apcdebates to connect with other politicos.