Meet the Candidates highlights students who ran for Connecticut’s Kid Governor during the 2025-26 school year and their platforms. Each exhibit panel features a student’s explanation of their chosen community issue, information about that issue, and their three-point plan. This year, the Connecticut Democracy Center is providing two traveling copies of the exhibit, each with 24 student panels. Download the Exhibit Fact Sheet below for a list of the panels in each copy of the exhibit. Meet the Candidates will inspire people of all ages to be active and engaged community members!
Request Meet the Candidates for Your Site
Each year, Meet the Candidates visits schools and libraries across the state and is seen by thousands of students — will your school be a stop this year? Download the Exhibit Fact Sheet below to learn more about hosting the exhibit, and then submit your request! All requests are subject to availability. There is no cost to borrow the exhibit and it will be shipped directly to/from your school.
“When my students saw all the posters, the excitement was palpable! They could not wait to circulate, read, talk with classmates, and embrace the platforms. They began to realize that they too, have the power to invoke change and make this world a better place!”
– Kid Governor® Teacher
Resources for Host Sites
Exhibit Fact Sheet – Information about the exhibit, its contents, and how it can be displayed.
Traveling Exhibit Lesson Plans – Our Creating a Poster and Writing to an Elected Official lesson plans can be used in conjunction with the exhibit, with students of all ages! The Creating a Poster worksheet is available as a fillable PDF or Google Slides template.
“Meet the Candidates” Exhibit Panels – Whether the traveling exhibit is coming to your school or you just want to inspire your students, all of the panels are at your fingertips!
Sample Press Release for Host Schools/Venues – Use this sample press release to tell your local media outlets that Meet the Candidates is visiting your school or venue!
See Meet the Candidates at Connecticut’s Old State House
Meet the Candidates will be installed on the fence outside Connecticut’s Old State House (Hartford) in spring, summer, and fall 2026. The exhibit is free for visitors and the public to experience as they walk through downtown Hartford. Come inside Connecticut’s Old State House, home of the Kid Governor® program, for a tour of the museum and to see the Kid Governor’s Office!
5th grade students at Kennelly School in Hartford participate in an activity with the Meet the Candidates exhibit.
4th and 5th grade students explore Meet the Candidates at CREC Discovery Academy in Wethersfield.