Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate Sets Iowa Youth Straw Poll for April 12

DES MOINES, IOWA (April 5, 2022) — Thousands of students across Iowa will cast ballots for their preferred candidates for US Senate, US House, and Iowa Governor in Secretary of State Paul Pate’s Youth Straw Poll. On Tuesday, April 12, Sec Pate will poll students on their preferred choices. More than 160 schools have registered to participate so far.

“It’s important we get young people excited about civics at an early age. This is a fun, hands-on way for them to learn,” Sec Pate said. “Voting is our civic duty, and it gives us all a voice. Iowa’s youth have the first opportunity to make their voices heard about the 2022 elections. I encourage every school to participate.”

The Iowa Youth Straw Poll is open to any K-12 school in the state, as well as civic organizations and youth groups. Candidates were asked to provide a short video with a personalized message for Iowa students. The videos are available on the Elections 101 website and on Sec Pate’s YouTube page.

Students, teachers, and organizations can register for the Iowa Youth Straw Poll by clicking here. A pin map of schools that have signed up to participate, as well as links to sample ballots and more information about the Youth Straw Poll is available at this link. The full list of schools that has registered so far is available here. The Youth Straw Poll is part of the Elections 101 curriculum developed by Secretary Pate for use in Iowa schools.

Every congressional and gubernatorial candidate who qualified for Iowa’s 2022 primary or general election ballots is included in the Straw Poll.

An audio clip from Sec Pate is available for your use at this link.