#CITIZENGOALS
II. Model Citizens: Voter Registration and Encouraging Young Women to Run for Office
Academic knowledge and emotional intelligence are of little value if they are not put into action. We want our children not only to be thoughtful, but to be thought leaders; not just to appreciate the community, but to participate in it; not only to succeed in the world, but to shape it. We should therefore encourage them, from an early age to engage in the democratic process, both at the ballot box and on the ballot itself.
We often focus on national elections, without any concern for elections where the officials put in office will affect our daily lives within our communities. In a typical election year for local elections, a person can win a seat on this school board with fewer votes than many of us have as social networking followers. Regrettably, very few people in our community take the time to vote for a candidate who will make decisions that affect the lives of our children on a daily basis. My family is actually featured in a 2017 LA Times article about voter apathy.
Considering voter turnout is at abysmally low rates, our schools can and should initiate a voter registration program to ensure that each and every young adult is registered to vote at the age of 16. At the same time, our schools should teach our children that they can impact the issues that impact their lives--teach them that their votes and voices matter.
Our schools can and should also take an active role in encouraging young women to get involved in politics. Women make up 51% of the population, but only 20% of Congress members; 25% of state legislators; 12% of governors; and 22% of mayors. Our young women should be taught that they can seek (and win) public office. Our schools should support programs such as IGNITE, which is training young women to run for office, and also implement our own programs. These efforts will ensure we have civically minded children who are informed about the issues of the day and empowered to become part of the solution.
Academic knowledge and emotional intelligence are of little value if they are not put into action. We want our children not only to be thoughtful, but to be thought leaders; not just to appreciate the community, but to participate in it; not only to succeed in the world, but to shape it. We should therefore encourage them, from an early age to engage in the democratic process, both at the ballot box and on the ballot itself.
We often focus on national elections, without any concern for elections where the officials put in office will affect our daily lives within our communities. In a typical election year for local elections, a person can win a seat on this school board with fewer votes than many of us have as social networking followers. Regrettably, very few people in our community take the time to vote for a candidate who will make decisions that affect the lives of our children on a daily basis. My family is actually featured in a 2017 LA Times article about voter apathy.
Considering voter turnout is at abysmally low rates, our schools can and should initiate a voter registration program to ensure that each and every young adult is registered to vote at the age of 16. At the same time, our schools should teach our children that they can impact the issues that impact their lives--teach them that their votes and voices matter.
Our schools can and should also take an active role in encouraging young women to get involved in politics. Women make up 51% of the population, but only 20% of Congress members; 25% of state legislators; 12% of governors; and 22% of mayors. Our young women should be taught that they can seek (and win) public office. Our schools should support programs such as IGNITE, which is training young women to run for office, and also implement our own programs. These efforts will ensure we have civically minded children who are informed about the issues of the day and empowered to become part of the solution.