Seniors in the Robbinsdale School District Get Registered to Vote
Tuesday marked National Voter Registration Day, and a local group focused on engaging younger voters.
Several initiatives took place at Robbinsdale Area Schools, where registration booths were set up in the cafeterias of Cooper and Armstrong High Schools. At Armstrong, Nancy Intermill and her team of volunteers attracted students with a vibrant booth adorned with stickers and treats.
As students visited the booth, Intermill inquired if they were registered to vote. Those who are 16 and older have the opportunity to pre-register, while students who are 18 or older can register on the spot.
“It’s important for them to know that there are opportunities for them if they stay informed about what’s happening,” Intermill explained.
Intermill serves as the voter services chair for the League of Women Voters of Crystal-New Hope-East Plymouth-Robbinsdale, a nonpartisan organization dedicated to increasing voter participation.
“When individuals are registered to vote, it becomes part of their mindset. That’s what democracy is all about,” she added.
A New Generation of Voters
Among those engaging with the booth was Ari White, who recently turned 18.
“I’m really excited and have been researching both candidates,” Ari shared.
She credits her parents with instilling the importance of voting and hopes her friends will also take the step to register.
“Voting is a privilege and an incredible right we have in America,” Ari said. “People in other countries often don’t get a say in decisions that affect their lives and communities.”
Robbinsdale Superintendent Teri Staloch visited the booth and shared her enthusiasm about the students’ involvement.
“It’s exciting to see how engaged they are. We want to empower them to understand that their voices matter,” Staloch remarked.
The district also participated in a live virtual event hosted by the Minnesota Secretary of State, which was available to students at Robbinsdale Academy-Highview and Robbinsdale Virtual Academy.
In Minnesota, voters can also register on the same day. For further details regarding voting, registration, and polling locations, residents can visit the Secretary of State’s website.