Nebraska Student Vote is a program designed for Nebraska elementary and secondary students that combines civics instruction, newspaper readership and a mock election. Nebraska Student Vote is conducted every two years in connection with the November general election. The program is sponsored by Nebraska Secretary of State John Gale and the Omaha World-Herald.

Although the United States is a bastion of democracy, American voting rates are low compared with other nations. Teaching American youth how to be educated voters is a critical challenge facing teachers and parents.

To address the need of voter education among Nebraska's youth, the Secretary of State's Office and the Omaha World-Herald created Nebraska Student Vote in 1996. It is hoped that students who participate in the program will be more likely to become active citizens and lifelong voters. The program has been well received by Nebraska schools since its inception and is highly regarded nationally. More than 63,000 students participated in the 2008 program.

For more information on the program, contact Sharon Hambek at (402) 471-6044 or sos.events@nebraska.gov.