The future of our great democratic exercise might look a tidbit brighter if the children at a recent Fire Department and City Open House have anything to say about it. Through a mock election orchestrated on October 8th, as reported by the City of Minnetonka's website, kids were given the chance to not just witness but also actively partake in the voting process—a foundational pillar of our society.
The ballots were whimsical, yet they served a greater purpose. Children cast their votes, choosing their preferred dish and animal companion. The stage was small, but the act itself was a rehearsal for a lifetime of civic engagement. Pizza, with a tally of 38 votes, and dogs, with 43 votes, emerged as the undisputed champions of the electoral contest. However, it seems democracy is alive and well among the youth, with write-in candidates garnering a substantial number of votes, indicating kids aren't afraid to think outside the box—or in this case, the ballot.
"Mac and Cheese" and "Waffles" rounded out the food category with 21 and 18 votes respectively. The youth’s creative spirit was on full display in the write-ins, where whims and fancies took flight and "Lasagna," "Burger," and even "Cande" found their way onto the makeshift ballot. The animal kingdom was equally represented, with "Shark" and "Penguin" accumulating 11 and 16 votes accordingly. Noteworthy was the 'Write-in' faction, a medley of preferences including the domestic "Cat" with 8 votes alongside the exotic "Sloth" and "Red Panda."
