I am a high school junior in San Jose. I believe Silicon Valley should be a leader not just in technology but also in political process. Schools have a civic responsibility to turn elections into teachable moments.
Building a simulated democratic process into classrooms, along with integrating it into service learning, is an excellent way to ensure that students have the support they need to act out campaigning and voting process. Asking students what issues they care about and explaining how the ballots eligible voters cast may affect their lives can be a powerful motivator to turn under-aged voters into election ambassadors.
Students will learn politics matters to their lives. They will not only improve civic engagement on their campuses, but also use elections to empower political activism. When students like me become eligible voters, they’ll more likely make their voices heard on Election Day.
Don’t wait. Act now.
