Polls

Graphic by Sydney Territo.

Pictured below are the Billericay Park Building (left), and Fall Creek Township Offices (right), which are both polling sites approved for the 2020 general election. Photos by Sydney Territo.

Adolescents fulfill civic duty

Despite their inability to vote, students participate in election process

Sydney Territo terrisyd000@hsestudents.org

As Election day approaches, so does the anticipation for voting and its results. While most students cannot vote, there are other ways to become civically involved in activities surrounding voting, the biggest one being the Hoosier Hall Pass (HHP) recruitment project. On the Indiana government website, it is stated that the HHP “provides an opportunity for students to learn about democracy, to actively participate in their community and work to support free and fair elections in Indiana.” It allows students who cannot vote yet to get involved in the voting process and familiarize and educate themselves with it before they can begin voting at the age of 18. According to the 2006 National Civic and Political Health survey, 7% of 15 to 25 year olds participated in 10 or more community engagements or political activities within the previous year. One civically active student is junior Kaelyn Tai. “I can derive most of my political interest from eighth grade when I had We The People,” Tai said. “After becoming more civically aware, it made me want to be more civically active.” Tai is enthusiastic about civic activity, and believes voting is essential for the making of a healthy democracy. She hopes that our generation will change the low turnout trend for young voters. “I’d really like to work at the voting booth to see all the types of people that are willing to vote,” Tai said. “This year, because of the coronavirus, I am unable to volunteer at a polling station. However, I would like to rope my friends into the process next year if possible.” Some students have already participated in working the polls, and plan to take part in it again this year. One of these students is senior Quinn Lowry, who helped out during the June 2 Primary

when his mom showed him an article about young poll workers being needed due to the pandemic. “My favorite aspects were helping some people vote for the first time [when] we’d all applaud if they were a first-time voter or just chatting with the other workers,” Lowry said. “Despite America being extremely polarized, the polling location was one of the most friendly places I’ve ever seen. We avoided talk about politics, and instead discussed past voting or poll working experiences and just life in general.” In order for students to work the polls, they must be at least 16 years of age and have written approval from their principal and their parent or guardian. They also need to be a citizen of the United States, a resident of the county they will work for and must complete the training required by the county election board. “In my government classes, I always ask if people are interested, and then I direct them with information on who to contact,” government teacher Liz Paternoster said. “They do provide meals and a stipend [at the sites]. Students have gotten anywhere from $115 to $125 for the day.” The best ways to get information on how to participate is through the school’s government teachers and by contacting county officials. Paternoster can be contacted through her email, which is lpaternoster@hse.k12.in.us, or can be found in room H127. The county election administrator can be contacted through the phone number 317-776-8476, and the voter registration office can be contacted through the phone number 317-776-9632. “I absolutely would recommend it,” Lowry said. “It’s a great way to help your community and get involved, even if you can’t vote.”