This page offers resources and tools adults can use to engage with and learn alongside children and teens during the election cycle and beyond. 

If any adjustments are needed, please use our feedback form to let us know. 

On This Page Quick Links:

Participate in the Next Election!

Encourage 16 and 17 year-olds to pre-register and 18+ year-olds to register to vote!

You can register to vote in California if you are: 

- a U.S. citizen

- a California resident

- at least 18 years old on or before the next election (pre-register at 16 or 17!)

- not in state or federal prison for a felony conviction

- not declared mentally incompetent by court action

California Voter Registration Deadlines:

ONLINE or BY MAIL: Monday, October 21, 2024

IN PERSON: Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Voting and the Election 

During the election cycle, students will likely be exposed to talk or media about issues, voting, and the election.

These resources can help you and your children understand what they are seeing and hearing.

5 Things to Tell Your Kids About the Election

5 consejos para hablar con tus hijos sobre las elecciones 

Scroll through the webpage embedded below to see Democracy Explainers from our partner, Rock the Vote. 

These Explainers contain clear explanations about topics related to our democracy. 

In this Ted Talk, Mónica Guzmán explains how curiosity is the most powerful tool we have to navigate our world, especially when our world is dangerously divided along political lines. 

From our partners, National Conflict Resolution Center, The Code of Civil Discourse gives us ways to communicate with empathy and kindness, even when we don't agree. 

code_of_civil_discourse_official.pdf

Media Literacy

Media is the way information is shared (books, news, webpages, Instagram, etc.) Media literacy is the ability to identify different types of media and understand the messages in them. It involves skills such as fact-checking, lateral reading, understanding bias and credibility, thinking critically, and sharing information responsibly.

Given that the way that media is created, presented, and consumed has changed significantly due to technology, it is essential that kids, teens, and adults work to develop media literacy. The tools and resources in this section can help. 

Media Literacy: Videos

Lateral Reading

Click Restraint

Verify Before You Share

English

Verify Before You Share

Spanish

Don't Be Fooled

English

Don't Be Fooled

Spanish

Break Out of Your Bubble

English

Break Out of Your Bubble

Spanish

Media Literacy: Articles

Media Literacy: Tools

Media Literacy: Test Yourself!