(Frankfort, KY)  October is Civics Month in Kentucky, and there will be events throughout the Commonwealth to remind citizens, both young and old, about the importance of being engaged in the democratic process.  Civics Month developed out of the Civic Literacy Initiative of Kentucky (CLIK), chaired by Secretary of State Trey Grayson, and was made official by the passage of House Joint Resolution 109 during the 2005 session of the Kentucky General Assembly.

            “Civics month is a perfect opportunity for citizens to focus on the importance of being engaged in their local community as well as participating in the democratic process,” stated Secretary Grayson.

            Civics month in Kentucky has opportunities abounding for Kentucky students.  College students are currently participating in mock elections where they can vote for their preferred candidates for Governor and Lt. Governor.   The mock elections also include voter registration drives and information sessions about voting in Kentucky.  With college students, greater attention is paid to their needs as absentee voters.

            Also during October, middle school and high school students can participate in the Kentucky Student Mock Election, a partner election of the Youth Leadership Initiative’s (YLI) mock election- the nation’s largest, most secure, electronic, student-only voter education project!  The mock election includes teacher lesson plans developed specifically to fit Kentucky education requirements.  This year’s election will take place on November 1, 2007.  Tens of thousands of students across Kentucky are expected to participate.

            Kentucky students can also take part in the 2007 Mock Constitutional Convention also hosted by YLI. The activity will culminate in a student vote on proposed mock constitutional amendments.

            Currently, the Office of the Secretary of State is promoting Kentucky Voter Registration week.  The voter registration deadline for the November 6, 2007 general election is October 9, 2007.

            Civics month will also include a number of new information websites and publications authored by the Office of the Secretary of State.  Forthcoming announcements will detail these new initiatives.

            “Our hope is not only to spur interest in the upcoming election cycle, but to more fundamentally get Kentucky citizens engaged in their communities and government across the Commonwealth,” noted Grayson.  “Civics month is an easy avenue to get citizens involved.”

            For more information about CLIK, please visit: www.sos.ky.gov/civics.

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