![Azalia Quinn fills out a mock ballot. On Thursday, Oct. 24 AP Government students did a pretend election to experience what it’s like. “If you can get [students] enthused about voting at a young age, the chances are higher that they’re going to continue this process throughout their adulthood,“ Brian Brown, the AP Gov teacher said.](https://mshsprospector.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/18FGwFbMo8mtfWGnVEvaqiODxDZhuV9ipRw3DAgL-1200x960.jpg)
Manitou Springs High School’s National Honor Society held a voter pre-registration during advisories between Sept. 25-Sept. 28 for all eligible juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old. Students who were 18 years old registered instead. NHS members talked with students and showed them how to pre-register/register.
NHS held this event in the 2022-2023 school year as well and decided to continue with it this year because many members find this very important. “Politics is exceptionally important to me, especially as a young person. It’s a strong belief of mine that we as teenagers have a lot to say, and need to say it in any way we can,” NHS president Meghan Taylor said. “Being a part of a movement can be as big as writing a piece of legislation, or as small as registering to vote. It’s all important, and it all matters.”
The purpose of this service project is to make it easier for people to obtain ballots when they are eligible voters. “Anyone over the age of 16 is eligible for pre-registration, that goes for seniors too. Every registration counts,” Taylor said, “Anyone 18 or older is eligible for registration to vote. Pre-registration means that when you become 18, your pre-registration will automatically roll over and you will be able to vote without having to register.”
NHS goal was to get at least 85 percent of seniors pre-registered, and to help acquire this goal the society had different incentives for students. “We are handing out a piece of candy if they show that they’re pre-registered, and we’re also doing an Advisory competition between all the junior and senior class advisories,” NHS secretary Cody Wyman said.
After registration, NHS still needed six more people to meet their goal and students can still pre-register in time if you fill out the packet and get it to Amanda Kerrigan as soon as possible.
NHS is hoping that by encouraging students to pre-register they will understand the importance of voting and that this will encourage them to uphold their civic duty. “Voting is super important. It’s our job to encourage the student body to register or pre-register so they have a larger opportunity to fulfill their civic duty,” Emily G. Davis, NHS vice president said. “I’m passionate about voting because it’s one of our guaranteed rights and can make a major difference in our community, state, and country.”
