15 Mar “Vote Center Experience” hosted by Yuma County
YUMA — Local high school student body elections are fast approaching, and Yuma County Election Services will once again be there to help. Election Services approached County school districts early this year to provide the students with a “Vote Center Experience.” Five high schools will be participating in the 2023-2024 student body elections.
Working closely with the schools, Election Services will use student information to check them in on electronic poll pads using the students’ ID cards or StudentVue QR Codes in order to satisfy the voter identification requirement. Once checked in, students will be provided the correct ballot style according to grade level. They will vote on electronic ballot-marking devices and tabulate their voted ballot with the Vote Center tabulator machine onsite.
The goal of this experience is to help young people become more engaged in the election process, as voters and/or volunteers. Voter Services staff will be available to assist with questions and register eligible students. In Arizona, 16 and 17-year-olds can pre-register to vote as long as they will turn 18 by the next general election.
“We are extremely proud of our partnership with Yuma County Elections. By giving our students an opportunity to have the same experience that registered voters have is just another example of students graduating college-, career-, and community-prepared,” said YUHSD Associate Superintendent Tim Brienza.
“We are excited and grateful to facilitate the student body elections and to continue educating the young community in the voting process,” explains Yuma County Interim Elections Director Kika Guzman.
Yuma County Recorder Richard Colwell said the Vote Center experience is a unique opportunity for our high school students to understand the importance of voting by participating in a simulated environment using actual election equipment.
Below is the list of schools’ election dates:
Cibola High School – Friday, March 24thSan Luis High School – Monday, March 27thKofa High School – Friday, March 31stYuma High School – Wednesday, April 12thGila Ridge High School – Friday, April 21st