County launches high school voter registration competition
Participating schools will encourage and facilitate voter registration for students who are 18 or older, as well as pre-registration for those who are 16 or 17
– The San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder’s Office has partnered with the League of Women Voters of San Luis Obispo (LWVSLO) to launch a countywide high school voter registration competition. The event, which runs from Sept. 16 through Sept. 30, will challenge local high schools to register or pre-register the highest percentage of eligible students. This period coincides with California’s official High School Voter Education Weeks.
At the end of the competition, one local high school will be named the Inaugural Voter Registration Champ. Participating schools will encourage and facilitate voter registration for students who are 18 or older, as well as pre-registration for those who are 16 or 17. Students who pre-register will automatically become registered voters when they turn 18. Both registration and pre-registration can be completed through the California Secretary of State’s online portal at RegisterToVote.ca.gov, or through paper registration cards that schools can provide.
Schools are encouraged to get creative with how they promote the competition, and the LWVSLO is offering to visit campuses to assist with registration efforts. The League has experience in educating students about the importance of voting and helping them through the registration process.
“We’re really excited to partner with the League and for them to provide in-person support during the registration drive,” said Clerk-Recorder Elaina Cano. “Their on-campus program is very strong and they have so much experience helping students become future voters.”
The LWVSLO has already scheduled visits to San Luis Obispo, Nipomo, Paso Robles, and Morro Bay high schools, as well as the Grizzly Academy. Additional visits to Mission Prep, Pacific Beach, New Tech, and Templeton high schools are being planned.
Schools may also designate student campus coordinators to promote registration and assist with reporting completed registrations to the Clerk-Recorder’s Office for tabulation. The Clerk-Recorder’s Office has created a 30-minute training program for interested students and has begun training those who want to take on this role. Students can contact the Clerk-Recorder’s Office at electionsoutreach@co.slo.ca.us to arrange for in-person or Zoom training.
The competition aims to boost civic engagement by registering or pre-registering every student 16 or older in San Luis Obispo County.
For more information, contact the Clerk-Recorder’s Office at (805) 781-5080 or visit www.slovote.com.
