Indiana Kids Election
Introduction
The Indiana Bar Foundation is proud to present Indiana Kids Election (IKE), a comprehensive way to teach students about voting by participating in a mock election process. The goal of IKE is to help students understand the role and importance of voting in our democracy and build the habit of voting into adulthood.
This year, students traveled through time with us to participate in the presidential election of 1892 between Benjamin Harrison and Grover Cleveland.
Thanks to a partnership with the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, we have resources available for teachers outlining each candidate’s positions on the issues of the day–including original political cartoons and other documents that voters would have used to make their choice more than 130 years ago.
The Results Are In!
On Tuesday, November 4th, 2025, Hoosier students from around the state participated in the 1882 mock election between Benjamin Harrison and Glover Cleveland. With 21 schools participating and a total of 485 ballots cast, history was changed! Benjamin Harrison was re-elected with 306 votes! Thank you to all the schools that participated. If you still want to use the resources below, please feel free too.
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Register To Vote (18+)
One of the goals of the Indiana Kids Election is to get high school students who are eligible to vote in the upcoming Indiana election. Read the eligibility to find out if you can vote in the upcoming election.
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You have the right to vote in Indiana if:
- You are both a U.S. citizen and a resident of Indiana; and
- You will be at least 18 years of age on or before the next General or Municipal Election, and
- You are not currently in prison after being convicted of a crime; and
- You have lived in the precinct where you vote for at least 30 days prior to the election; and
- You are registered to vote.
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Lesson Plans
The Indiana Bar Foundation has gathered resources for teachers to use to add to their lessons for teachers. In order to have access to the lesson plans, you will need to sign-up for the Indiana Kids Election.
The Indiana Election of 1892
What was so special about the Indiana Election of 1892? The two candidates that were against each other were Grover Cleveland (D) V Benjamin Harrison (R).
Here is a one pager of information that is critical to know about both candidates, their parties, and their stances on certain hot topics.
Presidential Nominee – Benjamin Harrison
Affiliated Party – Republican Party
Bio: Benjamin Harrison was known as the Hoosier President. He was a Civil War veteran and former U.S. Senator from Indiana who served as the 23rd President of the United States from 1889 to 1893. He campaigned again in 1892 as the incumbent, seeking a second term after building a reputation for protective tariffs, antitrust laws, and a navy.
What He Stood For:
– Supported tariffs to protect American factories and workers from foreign competition.
– Championed federal protection of forest reserves and creation of National Parks.
– Supported expanding the United States Navy and building America’s power abroad.
Presidential Nominee – Grover Cleveland
Affiliated Party – Democratic Party
Bio: Grover Cleveland was a reform‑minded former mayor and governor from New Jersey who had already served as the 22nd President of the United States from 1885–1889. He campaigned again in 1892 after losing re‑election in 1888—returning as the
Democratic nominee by leveraging his reputation for honesty, fiscal restraint, and opposition to tariffs.
What He Stood For:
– Opposed tariffs, arguing they made goods too expensive for ordinary Americans and unfairly favored big businesses.
– Signed the Chinese Exclusion Act which restricted immigration of Chinese individuals.
– Pushed for honesty and fairness in government, standing against political corruption and patronage.
Thank You To Our Indiana Kids Election Sponsors
Questions?
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Director of Civic Education Programs
Amelia Miller
[email protected] -
Civic Education Programs Coordinator
Megan Jolly
[email protected]