Early College Opportunities High School
By Mary Massey
The votes are in! Vanilla ice cream beat chocolate with strawberry running a distant third. Google won for best search engine while fall is the best season, and Friday was rated the best day of the week.
These were the results of a student mock election Sept. 18 at Early College Opportunities High School where juniors and seniors learned how to vote using a voting machine supplied by the Santa Fe County Clerk’s Office. After filling in their practice ballots, they stepped up to the machine one-by-one and inserted them into the black voting machine. The results were then shared with the entire group.
Santa Fe County officials were also on hand to register students to vote. Students can pre-register at 16 or older. The outreach program, #Democracy101, is in full swing in schools around the county ahead of the Nov. 5 election. In New Mexico, voters can register even on election day with proof of address.
Santa Fe County Clerk Katharine Clark came into office with the goal of increasing participation and excitement among youth voters. According to a press release from her office, younger voters tend to have far lower turnout rates than older voters. Students who register early are more likely to participate in elections at a young age and throughout their lives.
Student Response
ECO student Kaylee Kelleher, 16, said she appreciated the opportunity to pre-register so she will be ready to vote when she turns 18. “When there is an election, it is important to be able to vote,” she said. “It’s good because a lot of people don’t understand how voting works.”
Jeremiah Salazar, 17, said learning about the voter registration process is important both as a rite of passage and to underscore that voting is a right. “It is always exciting to experience a coming of age,” he said. “When you turn 18, your life shifts.”
After he voted in the mock election, Jeremy Armijo, 17, said he found the presentation very helpful. “It’s giving us information about voting and the opportunity to pre-register,” he said, as well as officials who can be contacted with questions.
More Information
For more information, contact Mitchell Cox, Voter Registration Coordinator, mcox@santafecountynm.gov. 505-992-9858 website www.santafecountynm.gov/clerk
Students who are 16 years or older can also inquire about how to be a paid election worker on election day. Contact Kristy Brusso kabrusso@santafecountynm.gov 505-995-9578.