Chicago Bears Partner with Cook County Clerk's Office to Train High School Students as Election Judges in March Primary Election.
In a move aimed at empowering young voices in local politics, the Chicago Bears and the Cook County Clerk's Office have teamed up to train 150 high school juniors and seniors to serve as election judges during their schools' early voting days. The initiative, dubbed Defenders of DAβMocracy, is set to prepare students for the March primary election.
The program allows students from 24 participating schools to learn how to manage polling stations, handle ballots, and ensure a smooth voting process. According to Frank Herrera, deputy of communications at the clerk's office, the goal of this program is "to transform students from passive observers into active participants in the electoral process." By doing so, it aims to give these young people a chance to run their school polls and register and vote.
Deputy Clerk of Elections Edmund Michalowski emphasized that these student judges will serve as the face of democracy at their schools. Michalowski also hinted at plans to expand this program to other schools in the future.
Training sessions took place at John Hersey High School in Arlington Heights, Oak Forest High School, and will conclude with a final session at the Cook County Elections Operations Center in Cicero on Thursday. According to Nicholas Rosales, an election judge trainer, the training has been well-received by participants. He observed that students were eager to contribute their skills.
Election judge trainer Lovie Westbrooks stressed the significance of this program, especially given the struggle for Black and women's voting rights in the past.
In a move aimed at empowering young voices in local politics, the Chicago Bears and the Cook County Clerk's Office have teamed up to train 150 high school juniors and seniors to serve as election judges during their schools' early voting days. The initiative, dubbed Defenders of DAβMocracy, is set to prepare students for the March primary election.
The program allows students from 24 participating schools to learn how to manage polling stations, handle ballots, and ensure a smooth voting process. According to Frank Herrera, deputy of communications at the clerk's office, the goal of this program is "to transform students from passive observers into active participants in the electoral process." By doing so, it aims to give these young people a chance to run their school polls and register and vote.
Deputy Clerk of Elections Edmund Michalowski emphasized that these student judges will serve as the face of democracy at their schools. Michalowski also hinted at plans to expand this program to other schools in the future.
Training sessions took place at John Hersey High School in Arlington Heights, Oak Forest High School, and will conclude with a final session at the Cook County Elections Operations Center in Cicero on Thursday. According to Nicholas Rosales, an election judge trainer, the training has been well-received by participants. He observed that students were eager to contribute their skills.
Election judge trainer Lovie Westbrooks stressed the significance of this program, especially given the struggle for Black and women's voting rights in the past.