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Cindi Young, education coordinator for the Collier County board of elections, corralled her poll workers Tuesday afternoon. There were just minutes before the doors opened and the Tommie Barfield Elementary media center was filled with voters, and Young wanted to make sure these first time poll workers knew what they were doing.

JENNA BUZZACCO / Eagle staff

Cindi Young, education coordinator for the Collier County Board of Elections, gives Tommie Barfield Elementary students instructions on how to use voting machines. Tommie Barfield students were among 15 Collier County schools participating in the Florida Department of Education's Sunshine State Young Readers Awards Program.

The speech was similar to one Young gave to poll workers in November. But this time there was an extra twist. Stickers, workbooks and lollipops.

"The grownups don't get that," she said to Tommie Barfield students Tuesday afternoon.

Third, fourth and fifth grade Tommie Barfield students were given the chance to vote on Sunshine State Young Reader books on Tuesday. The school is among 15 Collier County schools involved in the statewide program, which was founded by the Florida Department of Education.

"This program is a reading motivation program," said Debra Houghtaling, the school's media specialist. "But not only are they exposed to new books and authors, they are learning about democracy."

Students at Tommie Barfield began reading books in December and had until 10 a.m., Tuesday, to have the books they read counted. Students needed to read three books to be eligible to vote, and those students who completed all 15 books were able to work the polls.

Carlos Sanchez, 9, a fourth grade student, said he was only able to read three books before the 10 a.m. deadline. But the deadline won't stop him from continuing to read the books on the state's recommended booklist.

JENNA BUZZACCO / Eagle staff

American flags lay on a bookshelf in the Tommie Barfield Elementary media center Tuesday afternoon. Students in grades three through five were able to vote for their favorite book using real voting machines as part of the Sunshine State Young Readers Awards Program.

Houghtaling said the program, which has been going on at Tommie Barfield for more than five years, gives students extra incentives to read.

"This is very exciting," Carlos said. "It gives me a little bit of a challenge when it's time to read."

While encouraging literacy is the program's main goal, Young said she hopes the voting process will encourage students to continue voting once they become adults.

"It's a wonderful experience for these students," Young said. "If their first voting experience is memorable, maybe they'll be more inclined to do it as adults. Hopefully they'll remember how fun this was, and they won't be afraid to vote again."

Students had the chance to vote for one of 15 books. Young said the winning book has been different for each of the schools she has conducted the election at this year.

Voting takes place through April 6, according to the Florida Department of Education. Results from this year's vote will be released later this year.