Secretary of State Grayson Makes Stop at MSU to Promote Civics

Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson believes Americans need to be more involved in supporting American democracy through involvement in local, state and federal politics, and is spearheading a national civics education effort in Kentucky to promote civic literacy.

Grayson, who was host of the Purchase Area Regional Meeting on Civic Literacy that took place at Murray State University's Curris Center Monday, spoke to about 30 MSU students, faculty and visitors about the importance of civics education. The meeting was just one of 10 to take place statewide under the Civic Literacy Initiative of Kentucky (CLIK).

He said the purpose of the program is to educate and motivate young people in the importance of becoming a good citizen and participating in the political process at all levels.

“The point is to have a more engaged citizenry,” Grayson said.

“We want to encourage citizens not only to vote, but to attend meetings and participate, to call and contact legislators and local officials about their concerns. But they need to be educated in order to do so. It starts in the schools, but it needs to continue throughout your whole life.”

Pointing out the low voting rate among 18- to 24-year-olds, Grayson said the program focuses on younger students - elementary through high school - in an effort to educate the next generation in the importance of citizen participation in a democracy.

“We want to try to get people, at the bare minimum, to vote,” he said. “Of course, we hope to get them to take that next step and say I want to be an involved citizen.”