From the Desk of the County Manager, November 13, 2026
Greetings, Durham!
Voter engagement and participation in Durham County were at among their highest levels last week. Of the more than 253,800 registered voters in our county, 151,968 cast ballots in the Midterm Election. This number reflects Durham residents’ engagement in the electoral process and their desire to have their voices heard through their votes. I congratulate all newly elected and re-elected local, state, and federal leaders. Durham County looks forward to working and partnering with these officials.
This year, we marked numerous milestones in Durham County Government. Another was recognized on Monday, November 9, 2026, when the Durham Board of County Commissioners issued a proclamation honoring the 20th anniversary of Kids Voting Durham. Several commissioners shared their personal reflections on the program’s importance during the meeting. (You can view them here beginning at 1:01:48 in the video.)
Nurturing Democracy in Our Children and Youth
Civic engagement starts before the age of 18, and Kids Voting Durham proves it. The program helps young people under 18 understand the power they hold as engaged community members and future informed voters, and helps them believe in it.
Kids Voting Durham reaches students through classroom supports, youth voice activities, family engagement, and an authentic voting experience. The goal is to build the next generation of Durham residents with the civic knowledge, skills, and confidence to make their voices heard, now and for years to come.
Durham Chamber of Commerce started this initiative in 1998, and it moved to and became a program that has been part of Durham Cooperative Extension since 2006.
This year, Kids Voting Durham participants voted on the same ballot available to their parents and other voters ages 18 and over. Their results are posted here. Their results closely mirrored those of Durham County and North Carolina adult voters, including in the NC Supreme Court and Court of Appeals races.”
Donna Rewalt, County Extension Director, highlighted her personal connection to Kids Votes Durham at the Commissioners meeting.
“[I am proud to have been part of Kids Voting Durham’s origin story] but I am especially proud to say that 20 years later I am the mom of two Kids Voting participants who benefitted from the program all through their lives and are now young adults who vote and debate issues and remind each other to vote.”
For the last two decades, Carolyn Kreuger has served as the coordinator of Kids Voting Durham. She reflected on the program’s impact and how it has been part of thousands of Durham residents’ families’ stories over the years.
“Every year, I watch thousands of young people cast their Kids Voting ballots and discover the power of their civic voice,” she said. “And 20 years later, I get to witness something even more meaningful: the lasting impact of those experiences. I see former students becoming educators who engage their own students in meaningful civic learning; parents bringing their children to vote at the Durham County Library, just as they did when they were young; candidates, elected officials, and local government leaders whose interest in public service was sparked by their own Kids Voting experience; and informed voters who show up for every election -- including local elections -- because they understand that their voices and votes matter at every level of government.
This is what 20 years of Durham County’s investment in youth civic engagement looks like. It's about more than the young people we've reached. It's about the generations of engaged citizens, community leaders, and voters who carry that experience forward. And I am incredibly grateful to Durham County for its investment in our community in this way.”
Celebrate With Kids Voting Durham
The community is invited to celebrate with Kids Voting Durham on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at a free event that includes giveaways, games, and other activities. It will take place from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., at Durham Cooperative Extension, located at 721 Foster Street. More information is available on the Kids Voting Durham website.
Last week’s strong turnout reminds us that Durham values its voice at the ballot box. Thanks to 20 years of hard work by Carolyn Kreuger, the Durham Cooperative Extension team, and the program’s many volunteers and partners, Kids Voting Durham makes sure that value is passed on to the next generation.
Until next week,
Claudia Hager
Durham County Manager