In the last national census, nearly 9 million people went uncounted, many of them children. Because the census helps determine federal funding in each region—including education, day care, health care, and housing assistance—and how many legislators each state sends to Washington, getting the numbers right is important for kids and families. Rich Louv examines how Census 2000 could shape childhood's future.

DNet provides voter information kits which include information on where the candidates stand on a wide range of issues, including children's health, education, and welfare reform. Their Web site also includes contact information for elected officials in all fifty states, and links to local newspapers and other sources of information.

Older Americans are more likely to vote than the younger generations. "Rock the Vote" wants to change that.

Although we may not necessarily think of children as having "rights" the way adults do, children's rights underlie policies and services that improve their lives. Learn how far we've come and how far we have to go in ensuring all children's rights in our country.

The Children's Partnership explores how children's issues can be advanced during the 2000 elections in Looking to the New Millennium: Elections and Kids.

Not only do children lack votes, they also lack the clout that campaign contributions bring to other issues.
Find out who's contributing to the candidates running to represent your community in Federal office and some state offices through the Center for Responsive Politics. Or, explore FECInfo and consider whether this financial backing may help or hinder decisions made for kids. The Benton Foundation's Destination Democracy provides a background in campaign finance.