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TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - Students got a hands on voting experience Tuesday when they cast their ballots of their own.

The Kansas Children's Discovery Center held a special election day program to celebrate the nations rich history in voting. Students took part in creating campaign buttons, learning the history of voting in Kansas, how voting requirements have changed and casting their vote for their favorite candidate.

Organizers say opening the polls for children teaches them that other people have fought for their right to vote.

"It is important for kids to understand the background, that voting wasn't always available to everyone," said Margaret Hennessey-Springe, Education Director at the Kansas Children's Discovery Center. "I think that people take advantage of the idea that we could vote when really it is an opportunity that was earned."

The Discovery Center joined seven other Topeka organizations to make election day for the kids possible.

• Kansas Children's Discovery Center