THE RESULTS

Kids Voting USA participants in Northern Kentucky: 8,804 President George W. Bush: 6,199 John Kerry: 2,605 Ralph Nader: 14 U.S. Senate Sen. Jim Bunning: 5,223 Dan Mongiardo: 2,002 4th Congressional Geoff Davis: 3,983 Nick Clooney: 2,723

ELECTION 2004

• Bush prevails at polls • What to watch for this term ONLINE EXTRAS • Photo gallery: Celebration and concession • Tell us what you think of the election • Watch Bush's acceptance speech • Watch Kerry's concession speech • George W. Bush's victory speech • John Kerry's concession speech • County by county interactive map • Election 2004 section OHIO • Election fuss gave Blackwell a boost • Intense 2008 election forecast for Ohio • All those visits to SW Ohio paid off for the president • Voters look to the future • Ohio seeks vote answers • Academic gains helped levy win, but Cincinnati must cut • Democrats now occupy three posts in county • 5 Hamilton County school districts passed tax levies • Lakota cuts; Fairfield restores • Warren vote count was slow, others OK • Once and future prosecutor promises he'll clean up office KENTUCKY • Despite some long lines, voting was mostly smooth • Kids vote just like adults • Republicans bask in victory • Pro-Kerry homework irks Mom

While votes in swing states were still being tallied late Tuesday, the Northern Kentucky chapter of Kids Voting USA was busy counting mock votes cast by 8,804 children in Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties.

Carri Chandler, chairperson for the chapter, said this is the first presidential election since the chapter expanded to include all three Northern Kentucky counties in 2003.

"Turnout was tremendous," she said. "This is the most votes we've ever had for Kids Voting."

Chandler was overwhelmed with the number of people who volunteered and said almost all ballot boxes were staffed with a volunteer Election Day.

When the votes were all in, the winner was George W. Bush, with 6,199 votes - or 70 percent. Incumbent U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning and 4th District Congressional Republican candidate Geoff Davis were also winners with the young voters, gaining 72 and 59 percent of the vote, respectively.

Tom Ratterman of Bellevue took his daughter with him to John G. Carlisle Elementary in Covington, where Ratterman's mother was voting.

"I asked her if she wanted to vote, too," he said of his daughter, Kierstyn, who will turn 3 on Dec. 11. "I showed (the ballot) to her, and she didn't hesitate," he said. "She pointed at the picture and picked George Bush."

Ratterman, a registered Democrat who won re-election Tuesday for Bellevue's nonpartisan council race, said his toddler then pointed to every Republican candidate on the ballot. "She picked a straight Republican ticket," he said. "It makes me wonder if I ever ran for a partisan race if my daughter would vote for me."

The children also voted on two school issues - 74 percent of young voters decided schools should not charge fees for sports clubs and other activities, and 83 percent of kid voters said there should not be separate classrooms for boys and girls.

Kids Voting USA is a national, nonpartisan organization that teaches students about citizenship, civic responsibility, democracy and the importance of political participation. There are 50 affiliates in 28 states.

E-mail aremke@enquirer.com

Enquirer reporter Chris Mayhew contributed.