AP18:049
For Immediate Release
April 6, 2018
Contact:
SOS Press Office
(916) 653-6575
Secretary of State Alex Padilla Announces 100,000 California Pre-Registrations, Launches High School Civic Engagement Portal
SACRAMENTO – California Secretary of State Alex Padilla announced today that 100,000 pre-registrations have been completed by California 16- and 17-year- since the program launched in September 2016. Their voter registration will automatically be activated when they turn 18. Secretary Padilla also unveiled HighSchool.sos.ca.gov, a new web portal on the Secretary of State’s website connecting youth with civic engagement opportunities.
Click here to view the total number of pre-registrations by county and political party preference.
“We are seeing the impact that young people can have when they stand up and engage,” Secretary Padilla said. “Since California launched pre-registration, 100,000 soon-to-be voters have answered the call to participate in their democracy. As Secretary of State, I want to do all we can to encourage civic engagement among our youth. The new HighSchool.sos.ca.gov website will equip young people with the tools they need to get involved, make a difference, and lead.”
The new HighSchool.sos.ca.gov website provides information and resources for students who want to be civically active. High school students can learn more about pre-registration, find out how to be a student poll worker, get resources to host a Student Mock Election on their campus, and learn how to organize voter registration drives on their campuses during High School Voter Education Weeks.
Later this month, Secretary Padilla will kickoff California High School Voter Education Weeks where he will hold rallies and speak to thousands of students about the importance of voter registration and pre-registration.
"Registering to vote empowers our students to stand up for what they believe in, and to help build the world they want to inherit," said Los Angeles Unified School District Interim Superintendent Vivian Ekchian. "We are grateful to Secretary of State Alex Padilla for partnering with us and encouraging our 16- and 17-year-old students to take this important first step in the voting process. It is incredibly important for our future leaders to exercise their right to vote and ensure their voices are heard."
“Los Angeles youth lead the nation and they are modeling how we create the change we need through the voting booth,” said LAUSD School Board President Mónica García. “We look forward to expanding these efforts in L.A. Unified with a goal of 100% participation.”
"There is no doubt in our minds that young people across California are ready to take their power to the polls," Luis Sanchez Co-Executive Director of Mobilize the Immigrant Vote/Yvote. "Since 2016, YVote registered and pre-registered over 25,000 young voters. And in response to the recent events in Parkland, young people are organizing and registering thousands of voters in communities across California. We support these courageous young people and stand ready to flex their collective power at the polls in 2018 and beyond."
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