Staff Editorial: Student election judges present opportunity in politics
A freshman student fills out a ballet during the school-wide mock election Oct. 16. The mock election was a way to involve students under 18 in the civic process.
October 25, 2018
As Election Day approaches, high school students in St. Louis Park have been contacted about applying to be a student election judge. The jobs are available to students all around Minnesota.
The Echo Editorial Board also see the election opportunity as a way of exposing young citizens to the voting system in place. Students under 18 years old may develop an appreciation for what it means to vote throughout this process, which could guarantee they register and vote in the future. We also view this as a way the system includes non-voters.
In addition to involvement in the voting process, students will be able to enhance their work ethic and learn about job applications through the short-term opportunity.
There are some unfavorable aspects, such as having to miss school and not securing transportation to and from the polls. These can limit some students’ participation. However, students can still get involved in the civic process by volunteering for a politician’s campaign, using social media to educate, and starting discussions surrounding politics and voting.
According to the application form, judges must be at least 16 years old and must “be in good academic standing”. The job requires attendance to multiple paid training sessions. Additionally, student judges will have the supervision of an experienced judge to ensure procedures run smoothly.
The Editorial Board believes this system is well-designed and was created with voters and simplicity in mind. The standards guarantee the students will be mature and sophisticated throughout the process.
Student election judges are a great opportunity, but they are far from the only one. The Editorial Board asks students to continue to stay informed and politically active after this year’s midterm election. We implore citizens to educate themselves on current legislation and advocate for themselves in government. Students should sustain contact with politicians and campaigns after the election, and they should be active in politics, through a campaign or simply be being informed.