By Isabel Costian
Senior Talia Miller spent a few minutes of her lunch to become a registered voter on Monday. Last week, PTA members and deputized registrars from Dallas County came to Richardson to help students 18 years old or older register for voting.
“By providing registration, we give the students an opportunity to be citizens and exercise their right to vote,” said assistant principal Elise Curry. “I want the students to be involved with the world.”
Students who were 18 stopped by the voter’s registration table during lunch and registered to vote in the upcoming gubernatorial election.
“I feel like it’s really important to vote now that we have the choice,” Miller said. “I’m excited to vote and learn more about what’s going on.”
According to the 2010 voting statistics, Texas was ranked 42nd in voter registration and 51st in voter turnout in the nation.
“We want to make young people aware of the opportunities that they have to vote, and actually have a voice in creating change, or having their voice heard in government,” deputized voter registrar Anne Christiansen said. “Voting is the ability and privilege that you have, but it’s also your duty.”
Each day, a new Dallas County registrar came to the campus, encouraging students to vote and informing them of the procedures.
“A lot of people feel that they’re powerless,” said volunteer deputy registrar Jill Rice. “It’s important to help students know that their voice counts. If they’re passionate about something, they can make changes in the community.”
Although most underclassmen couldn’t participate, many said they stopped by the registration table to ask questions.
“I think it’s good that students are registering to vote so they can participate in their government,” sophomore Miranda Gavitt said. “I feel like voting is a good way to get your opinion across, and I can’t wait until I can.”
For the first time, PTA volunteers helped out with the registration process and guaranteed a celebratory cupcake for each registered student on November 4.
“The PTA is very involved in trying to help the students,” PTA volunteer Barbara Costian said. “Registering to vote is just one way we can do that.”
Over the course of three days, almost 40 students registered to vote in the upcoming election. In the spring, students with later birthdays will also be able to register.
“As we’ve seen in the past few elections, every vote really does count,” Costian said. “The students are the future, so they should have a chance to make an impact.”