Park Ridge groups register more than 400 high school students to vote
More than 400 new voters can start showing up to the polls in 2024, thanks to the
recent efforts of Action Ridge with organizational and volunteer assistance from
Spotlight Elevate Engage.
Over 30 deputy registrars and other volunteers pitched in as the two Park Ridge-based civic groups spent two days each at Maine West, Maine East and Maine South High Schools. From Feb. 8-15, they registered just over 400 Maine Township High School District 207 students to vote.
Those students who will turn 18 by the general election on Nov. 5 were able to cast ballots as soon as this month’s primaries in Illinois.
“I was really glad to be able to register at school,” said Katherine Kolton, a senior at
Maine South. “The process was really easy to register to vote for my first time.”
Critical to the success of the drive was the tremendous cooperation of the social studies chairs and teachers, reflective of the department’s vision to develop respectful, informed, productive and engaged citizens.
“It’s wonderful to see all these young people being excited to vote,” said volunteer Jackie McNeilly.
Residents who want to vote in the general election this November but have not yet
registered to vote or who need to update their registration can do so (1) online
at ova.elections.il.gov, or (2) in person at an early voting site or at their home polling place on Election Day. See more at cookcountyclerkil.gov/elections. For in-person registration, bring two forms of ID, one with a current address. For acceptable forms of ID as well as voting sites, visit www.cookcountyclerkil.gov
Be sure to join these 400+ young people to vote in the general flection on Nov.
5.
If your school or organization wants to host a voter registration drive, contact Action
Ridge at Actionridge2017@gmail.com or Spotlight Elevate Engage at
AskSpotlightEE@gmail.com.
Mary Fontaine, president of Spotlight Elevate Engage
Nan Parson, chair of Action Ridge
Karen Yee Reid and Chris Parson, voting/election leads
Park Ridge