Robbinsdale School District Seniors Register to Vote
Tuesday marked National Voter Registration Day, with a focus on encouraging youth participation in the democratic process. In the Robbinsdale Area Schools, initiatives were set up to engage students, featuring registration booths in the cafeterias of Cooper and Armstrong High Schools.
At Armstrong High School, Nancy Intermill and her team of volunteers attracted students’ attention with a booth adorned with stickers and treats. Intermill engaged students by asking if they were registered to vote, informing those aged 16 or older that they could pre-register, while students who are 18 and up had the option to register on the spot.
“We need to make them aware of the opportunities that come with being informed and involved,” Intermill remarked.
As the voter services chair of the League of Women Voters of Crystal-New Hope-East Plymouth-Robbinsdale, Intermill’s nonpartisan group aims to increase voter turnout.
“When individuals are registered to vote, it becomes part of their mindset. That’s the essence of democracy,” she noted.
Among the young voters is 18-year-old Ari White, who expressed enthusiasm about participating in her first election. She shared her experience of researching candidates and emphasized the influence her parents had in instilling the importance of voting. White encourages her friends to register as well, highlighting voting as both a privilege and a fundamental right in America.
“Voting is an excellent right we have here in America. In many places around the world, people do not have the chance to voice their opinions on issues affecting their lives and communities,” White added.
Robbinsdale Superintendent Teri Staloch visited the booth, expressing excitement at the students’ engagement in the process. “We aim to empower them, ensuring they know their voices matter,” Staloch stated.
The district also 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 as well.
In Minnesota, voters are able to register on the same day as the election. For further information on voting, registration, and polling places, residents can visit the Secretary of State’s website.