MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) - Seven Vermont fifth graders are vying to become the state’s first “Kid Governor.” The Vermont secretary of state launched the initiative to boost youth civic engagement after recent data showed many young people were disengaged with the voting process.

After weeks of campaigning, Vermont fifth graders have voted on who should be the state’s first “Kid Governor.”

What started with 1,000 interested students turned into seven on the final ballot. Each candidate developed a campaign platform centered around an important issue facing the state and a three-point plan for how fifth graders can address the issue in their own communities.

“Hi, I’m Gaelen, and I’m running for kid governor because I want kids to have a voice in what they eat for school lunch,” said one ca

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