By Dan McGrath
Leo did its part to create an informed bloc of voters for the future when it hosted a National Teen Voter Registration Day in the school auditorium on Tuesday, September 10.
Dr. Shaka Rawls, Leo’s principal, sought to have Leo serve as the South Side hub for a nationwide effort to make young people more aware of and involved in the election process. Citizenship, he said, “is an important part of the Leo curriculum,” and he reminded Leo students that “many thousands of Americans have given their lives over the years to protect their fellow citizens’ right to vote.”
Yolanda Sandifer Horton, Leo’s Director of Community Engagement, worked with local representatives from the national program and the Cook County Board of Elections to line up volunteers to assist with registration. More than 50 responded, from the Faith Community of St. Sabina (Fr. Michael Pfleger), the 17th Ward (Alderman David Moore), the Chicago Police Department’s 6th District (Commander Michael Tate), and Engine 129, Truck 50 and Ambulance 30 from the Chicago Fire Department Station at 81st and Ashland.
Various community groups, sororities and fraternities provided volunteers as well, manning the 24 tables set up in the auditorium.
Students from De La Salle, St. Laurence, St. Francis de Sales, Our Lady of Tepeyac and Josephinum Academy accepted Dr. Rawls’ invitation to participate.
• Students aged 18 and over could register to vote on the spot.
• Students aged 16 and 17 could pre-register to vote, in accordance with Illinois law allowing teens to pre-register, the idea being to introduce young people to the process as soon as possible. Students who are 17 but will turn 18 before Nov. 5 are eligible to vote in this year’s election if they’re registered.
“We have students in our own building who will turn 18 in October, and they were surprised to find out they can register and then vote on November 5th in their first presidential election,” Dr. Rawls said.
By the time the four-hour session was completed, more than 250 students had registered, ranging in age from 16 to 18.
Media coverage was extensive as well, with more than a half-dozen TV stations, radio stations and newspapers sending reporters and camera crews.
“This particular call to action is history in the making,” Dr. Rawls said. “Today’s young people want their voices heard, and this was an opportunity. Tomorrow’s informed young voters will stake a claim to shaping history with their ballot.”
A DMV mobile unit had visited Leo on Monday, giving students an opportunity to obtain the documentation they would need to register or pre-register.
National Teen Voter Registration Day aims to inspire and mobilize teenagers to participate in the democratic process and to empower young minds to make a difference in their communities.
The campaign provides teens with the tools for registration, fosters informed decision-making and instills a sense of civic duty. By organizing voter registration drives in high schools and engaging in political discussions, teenagers can play a significant role in their communities through participation in the electoral process.
Dr. Rawls said Leo looked beyond its own student body to take ownership of an event aimed at facilitating the registration of eligible young voters.
“By inviting other schools, we create a greater, more impactful statement on the South Side,” he said. “The day is not just about voting, but also about honoring those who fought for the right to vote.”