Students Participate in Local Elections
Three things are certain in life: death, taxes, and the fact that an early Tuesday in November will be Election Day. On this autumn day, schools, churches, and other public municipalities turn into make-shift political hotspots, known simply as poll stations.
On November 8, 2011, 30 Aragon students were given the opportunity to help work these polling stations. In return these students were paid $125. $100 was credited for the 12 plus hour work day and $25 for the training session. Students would also be excused from that day of school.
“Getting off a day off from school and the money was the main reason I participated,” says Senior Carolyn Insley.
These 30 students reported to polling stations scattered all over San Mateo County. Examples of stations were Highlands Elementary School, San Mateo City Library and the Peninsula YMCA.
“Our job was to set up the polls in the morning, keep track of who voted, assist voters when needed, and tally the paper ballots votes at the end of the day,” said Senior Christian Larsen who worked the St. Andrews Lutheran Church polling station.
Extra poll workers were need by the County of San Mateo due to a lack of available adults. Outside of student workers, a majority of the other poll workers were older women and men.
“Not that many voters showed up so it was pretty relaxed,” says Carolyn Insley. The result for the low voter turnout was due to the lack of big name things to vote on.
Money was not the only thing Aragon poll workers gained from the experience. Larsen says, “This experience gave me a better understanding of election proceedings and it taught me how heavily regulated the whole process is.”
