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IOWA OFFICIAL REGISTER | ||||||||
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IOWA STUDENT POLITICAL AWARENESS CLUB
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Secretary of State Chet Culver created the Iowa Student Political Awareness Club, or ISPAC (pronounced ICE-PAC) as a call to action for young people in Iowa. As a former high school government teacher and coach, Secretary Culver is committed to getting young people involved in the democratic process. Recent statistics indicate that voter participation by young people between the ages of 18-24 is steadily declining. In fact, in 1998 only 15% of voters in this age group participated in the November elections. ISPAC is a free, nonpartisan, statewide organization for Iowa students in grades 6-12. The Club encourages participation by providing young people with information about the legislative process, elected officials, candidates, and how to get involved. When a student joins they receive a guide to state government, a membership card and certificate, and a quarterly newsletter detailing information important to young people. ISPAC also emphasizes technology by using the internet to provide students with a gateway to information. When they join, students have access to the ISPAC web page where they can keep track of issues that effect their lives, join in monthly chat sessions with Secretary Culver, and find information on how to get involved, volunteer, or research candidates. Information on ISPAC can be obtained by signing on to Secretary Culver's web page at www.sos.state.ia.us or calling 1-888-SOS-VOTE. | ||||||||
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Secretary Culver at Sheldon Middle School, talking to students about ISPAC. | ||||||||
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How Important is One Vote?
1645 - In 1645, one vote gave Oliver Comwell control of England.
1649 - In 1649, one vote caused Charles I of England to be executed.
1776 - In 1776, one vote gave America the English language instead of German.
1845 - In 1845, one vote brought Texas into the Union.
1868 - In 1868, one vote changed France from a monarch to a republic.
1923 - In 1923, one vote gave Adolf Hitler leadership of the Nazi Party.
1941 - In 1941, one vote saved the Selective Service (the draft) from being abolished, just weeks before Pearl Harbor was attacked.
1960 - In 1960, one vote per precinct elected John F. Kennedy the President of the United States. | ||||||||