This fall, thousands of Nebraska fifth-graders will embark on a civic adventure unlike any other. Monday, Sept. 29 marks the “official” launch of Nebraska’s Kid Governor® program, a statewide initiative that gives young people a real say in their communities – and a real election to run.
Kid Governor® is a national civics program created by the Connecticut Democracy Center, now making its debut in Nebraska. It’s designed for fifth-grade classrooms and homeschool groups, blending civics lessons with real-world leadership opportunities. Over the next several weeks, students will learn about state government, identify community issues they care about, build three-point campaign platforms, and even record their own campaign videos. Then, just like real candidates, they’ll compete for their classmates’ votes — first within their schools, and then across the state.
Classrooms are set to dive into lesson plans and activities that set the stage for civic action. Teachers will guide their students through a structured curriculum that explains the roles of state government and how everyday people can create change. Soon after, schools will hold their own primaries to select a nominee to represent their class or building in the statewide election in early November. Some classrooms may choose not to nominate a candidate and instead take part solely as voters, evaluating campaign videos from the finalists and casting ballots on Election Day.
The timeline moves quickly: Through October, nominees work on sharpening their platforms and producing videos to make their case to voters. In early November, a panel selects seven finalists from across Nebraska. Those seven candidates become the faces of a statewide election, as thousands of fifth-graders watch their videos, deliberate, and cast their votes. The candidate with the most support becomes Nebraska’s first Kid Governor, while the other finalists form the Kid Governor’s Cabinet. Together, they will spend the rest of the school year turning campaign promises into action.
Some schools, like Meadows Elementary in Ralston, have already begun the process. Earlier this month, their fifth-grade classrooms held primaries, carefully selecting a nominee to move forward. Soon, that nominee will be recording a campaign video and sharing their platform with voters across the state. These early steps reflect the excitement and seriousness with which students approach the program, and offer a glimpse of what’s to come as more classrooms join in.
The value of Kid Governor® goes beyond the election itself. For many students, this will be their first real experience with civic life: identifying issues, discussing solutions, listening to others, and making their voices heard. For teachers, it’s a powerful way to bring civics alive. And for communities, it’s a chance to nurture the next generation of engaged citizens and public leaders.
By Election Day in November, one will become the state’s very first Kid Governor. But in truth, they will all have taken their first steps as active citizens. That’s a victory for Nebraska’s future.
