Electoral Elementary IS a PodcAst that teaches Civics through storytelling and song.
This short six-episode podcast series follows a sometimes meddlesome 10-year-old named Gloria Martinez as she tries to fix a glaring problem at her elementary school -- they currently lack a properly protected crosswalk. After realizing the only way to bring about real world change is to take democracy into her own hands, Gloria decides to make a run for student body president. To accompany her on her legislative voyage, the soon-to-be candidate’s civic gurus are a politically -cartooned elephant and donkey who emerge from her textbook. These hammy characters turn stale statecraft into dazzling song and dance as they explore the ins and outs of public policy. The journey will follow Gloria through a 5th-grade primary, a general school-wide election, setting up a trustworthy administration, trying to pass new rules and programs, and a few bureaucratic hiccups along the way.
Electoral Elementary is Written and Produced by Jessica Marshall.
Jessica has been drawing story sketches for animation for 10 years. As a mom of two boys, she is always looking for new media that educates as well as entertains. During the 2016 election, she realized that programs like “Schoolhouse Rock” were sorely missing. Many, even adults, had questions about how our system picks a new president. What is a super-delegate? Why do we have an Electoral College? What is a caucus?
Observing that void, Jessica gathered an amazing group of talented, creative voices to help her build a story to answer some of those questions. Hence, Electoral Elementary the podcast came to be.