Visitors can follow the path to the presidency with the Headed to the White House exhibition, developed by the National Constitution Center to engage students and families with the excitement, pageantry, and importance of presidential elections. The exhibit will open at the National Constitution Center on Constitution Day, September 17, 2008, and will run through January 20, 2009, to coincide with the election and inauguration of a new American president.
The exhibit will offer visitors role-playing opportunities and will use multimedia, interactive, and theatrical experiences to convey the importance and excitement of America’s greatest democratic rite. Visitors will learn about the electoral process, the issues and candidates in the 2008 race, and some of the fascinating history of presidential elections.
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Every visitor to the center, even those under the age of 18, will have the chance to cast their vote for president. The Center will have a running tally in the Grand Hall Lobby so that visitors can see the most up-to-date results. Guests ages 18 and over can register to vote on-site, as well. Registration forms are available for residents from every state, and Constitution Center staff members are on-hand to assist with the registration process.
Visitors can also view a special display of voting booths from America’s past and learn about different voting methods, the expansion of voting rights, and the importance of voting for all citizens.
During the Elections from Start to Finish presentation, visitors have the chance to learn about in the election process from the primaries to the inauguration. Guests can participate in 5-10 minute demonstrations that include the latest campaign developments, debates, and speeches.
In addition, the Center is continuing to offer the Headed to the White House class trip package for student groups to teach them about past presidents, historic elections, and presidential powers throughout history.
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The National Constitution Center is getting students involved in the excitement of the presidential election through a fast-paced, hands-on civic learning program brought directly to their schools. The Youth Voter Registration Initiative engages students with the nuts and bolts of the presidential election process in an interactive, fun-filled format. Students learn about political parties, candidates, and elections by developing platforms, creating campaign commercials, and voting in a mock election.
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The National Constitution Center, in partnership with a consortium of national nonpartisan, nonprofit organizations dedicated to empowering and encouraging eligible voters in America to engage in the 2008 presidential election, will present a series of innovative programs from the citizen perspective designed to stimulate conversation about the election process and the issues being debated in this campaign season. The series of programs starts with the premise that ordinary citizens have a voice, not only in choosing among candidates, but also in shaping the nature of the election from its most elemental stages. To further extend the reach of this conversation,