Iber Holmes Gove Middle School News
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Iber Holmes Gove Middle School Honor Roll First Quarter 2012 - 2013
IHG Middle School 7th and 8th grade writing contest, "Voter Identification Law: For or Against"
By Cheryl Killam 11-23-12
On Wednesday, November 14, Carolyn Matthews and Marilyn Elliot, members of the board of directors Raymond Voter Information Project, visited Iber Holmes Gove Middle School to speak with 115 eighth grade students about this year's writing contest, “Voter Identification Law: For or Against.”
Eight students raised their hands when Matthews asked, “how many students are 14 years old today and will be 18 years old in four years to vote for the next president in 2016? You are the future voters of our country.”
She continued with, “We are here to talk with you about persuasive writing for an issue, and arguing against an issue, and we are hoping you can help us improve the voter turnout in our local elections in March by encouraging your parents to vote.”
Matthews and Elliot engaged in a mock debate about the Voter Identification Law to increase the students' awareness on both sides of the issue.
Elliot, who supported the new law, began the debate with, “this law is to prevent people from voting twice.”
Matthews, who was against the new law, countered with, “many people may not have a photo id and if a person had actually voted twice, it would be fraud.”
Elliot said, “other states have much stricter Voter ID Laws. In Raymond, there was a difference of only 53 votes deciding who won the race for governor.”
At the end of the mock debate, they explained the rules and criteria for the writing contest, available by clicking HERE.
The winning essay For Voter ID Laws and the winning essay Against Voter ID Laws will be published at www.raymondvip.org and also in the Raymond VIP voting guide mailed to homes in late February. Winners may also read their essays at the School Deliberative Session in February 2013.
The “Voter Identification Law: For or Against” writing contest submissions are due by December 21st.
If you would like to volunteer or learn more about Raymond Voter Information Project visit the website at www.raymondvip.org.
