By Tony Hicks. Bay City News.
The Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters (ROV) and County Office of Education (SCCOE) said Thursday that more than 7,000 16- and 17-year-olds have pre-registered to vote during the 2024 election cycle.
Both county offices conducted a youth voter education campaign, during which SCCOE and the ROV Outreach Team visited 11 schools, collaborated with more than 20 educators, and organized three countywide voter registration drives.
“The participation of our young voters is vital to the future of our democracy,” said Matt Moreles, Acting Registrar of Voters. “By pre-registering, these young people are taking an important step toward ensuring their voices are heard in the electoral process.”
California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber said last month that more than 1.2 million young people have pre-registered since the program launched in September 2016.
“We are thrilled to see such enthusiasm from our students in the area of civic engagement,” said Kelly Wylie, executive director of public affairs for the Santa Clara County Office of Education. “Educating our youth about their rights and responsibilities as voters is crucial to fostering a lifetime of civic engagement.”
Eligible 16- and 17-year-olds can pre-register to vote in California and will automatically become registered when they turn 18.
Online pre-registration at www.RegisterToVote.ca.gov is available to U.S. citizens and California residents, except those currently serving a sentence in state or federal prison for a felony conviction or who have been determined by a court to be mentally incompetent to vote.
Youth and educators can find additional information about pre-registration, civic engagement, and other resources on the Voter Registration Office website at https://vote.santaclaracounty.gov/pre-register-to-vote. The Voter Registration Office's school outreach team is available to host school events and presentations.
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