Robbinsdale School District Students Engage in Voter Registration
Tuesday marked National Voter Registration Day, with a local initiative aimed at encouraging the younger generation to engage in the electoral process.
In Robbinsdale Area Schools, 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 colorful booth adorned with stickers and treats.
As students approached, Intermill inquired about their voter registration status. Students aged 16 and older have the option to pre-register, while those 18 and above were able to register on the spot.
“I believe it’s important to inform them. There are opportunities to seize if they stay informed about their surroundings,” Intermill stated.
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.
“Having registered voters fosters a mindset that values democracy,” she added.
Embracing the Future of Voting
One of the new voters at Armstrong is 18-year-old Ari White, who expressed her enthusiasm about participating in elections.
“I’m really excited. I’ve been researching the candidates thoroughly,” Ari shared.
She emphasized that her parents instilled in her the significance of voting, and she encourages her peers to register as well.
“Voting is not just a right; it’s a privilege we enjoy in America. People in other countries often lack a voice in their governance and communities,” Ari remarked.
Robbinsdale Superintendent Teri Staloch also attended the event, expressing her excitement at the students’ engagement with the registration booth.
“We aim to empower these students to understand that their voices matter,” Staloch commented.
Additionally, the district took part in a live virtual event organized by the Minnesota Secretary of State, allowing students from Robbinsdale Academy-Highview and Robbinsdale Virtual Academy to participate.
In Minnesota, voters can register on the same day as the election. For more information on voting, registration, and polling places, residents can visit the Secretary of State’s website.