School encourages seniors register to vote

As the California general elections in May approach, the school is making an effort to encourage older students to vote. Students over 18 have been called in to the office to receive voter registration forms, which they can complete on their own and return to the office to register. So far, about 75 students have been called in to the office to receive this form.

“[The school] does this every year to get students involved in the voting system,” said Susan Dini, the principal’s administrative assistant. “The motive is to get students to accept their rights as an adult and be part of the voting process.”

With the possibility of new measures such as the parcel tax up for voting, many seniors felt the need to have their say in the elections.

“In Mr. [Kirk] Abe’s Gov class, I learned that voting is important,” senior Tyler Jew said. “It allows you to have a voice in the government, and I learned that your voice actually does matter.”

Senior Shai Segal feels that he has a duty to vote because it is a privilege.

“It just seems like the right thing to do,” said Segal. “Why waste a right?”

Although the school is encouraging students to vote, Dini said the school is handing out the registration forms strictly to introduce students to voting, not to suggest that students should vote a certain way.

Though the right to vote catches many new 18-year-olds by surprise, Jew feels that he is well prepared to vote.

“It’s not really a shock to me,” said Jew. “I feel like I’m ready to vote.”