Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) high school students have teamed up with the Alameda chapter of the League of Women Voters (LWV) to register and pre-register their peers to vote in the upcoming elections. The events are scheduled to be held during the school day on each of the six high school campuses—public, private, and charter—and the College of Alameda. Depending on the school, these opportunities will take place during drop-off, advisory periods, lunch, and leadership classes.
The LWV notes that 16- and 17-year-olds are eligible to pre-register at 16 and then will be automatically registered to vote when they turn 18. This year, organizers hope to register/pre-register 1,200 to 1,700 students during the event, which started on National Voter Registration Day (Tuesday, September 17) and continues throughout California High School Voter Education Weeks, the last two weeks of September.
The purpose of the initiative is designed to educate students on the importance of voting and increase student involvement in the democratic process, according to the school district. Research shows that voter turnout among 18- to 24-year-olds has consistently been the lowest of all age groups.
What students say
An AUSD report about the events included quotes from a number of students about why registering and voting matter.
“Many among the youth view voting as a burden as opposed to a gift, when in reality it is an honor that must be valued,” said Dean Alis, an 11th grader at Alameda High School who has been involved with voter registration efforts since his freshman year. ”Voting is actually a powerful tool for change.”
Ava Beall, a senior at Alameda High who organized a voter registration drive last year, and serves as Commissioner for the Diversity and Social Justice Committee, encourages her peers to vote as a way to amplify their voices. “I want to make an impact and help make the voices of others, and my own voice, heard,” she said.
Iris Ko, an 11th grader at Encinal High added, “It’s important for students to preregister and register to vote because voting is a huge part of our government. We get to choose what we want. I think my peers agree that voting is an important part of our government.”
Event schedule
The first voter registration events were held on September 17 and 18, at College of Alameda, St. Joseph Notre Dame High School, Island High School, and Alameda High School. Remaining events are scheduled as follows.
Thursday, September 19:
- Alameda High School, new gym, 1:18-2:09 p.m.
- ASTI, Leadership classroom, 1:27-2:27 p.m.
Friday, September 20:
- Encinal High School, gym, 8:30 a.m.
- ASTI, Writing Seminar classroom, 1:27-2:27 p.m.
Tuesday, September 24 or Friday, September 27:
Please note that students who can’t make it to one of these sessions can pre-register or register to vote online, or check their voter registration status, at the California Secretary of State’s Online Voter Registration website. The instructions and registration materials are available in multiple languages.
