This article was originally published in The Notebook. In August 2020, The Notebook became Chalkbeat Philadelphia.
Since March, a broad group of education stakeholders has registered hundreds of eligible high school students for the upcoming primary and general municipal elections.
So far more than 700 eligible high school seniors in 15 comprehensive high schools have completed registration forms during voter education assemblies hosted by the organizations.
"The majority of the young people that we are registering to vote come from communities that have historically not participated in the election process in large numbers," says Aldustus Jordan, education coordinator at Philadelphia Citizens for Children and Youth (PCCY). "We are turning this around by ensuring that the next generation of young adults understands the importance of the democratic process and exercises their right to vote."
Groups involved in this effort include PCCY, Philadelphia Home and School Council, Philadelphia Voter Mobilization Coalition, the Student Voices Project of the Annenberg School of Communication, League of Women Voters of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, Philadelphia Student Union, Philadelphia Education Fund, and the School District of Philadelphia.
For more information contact PCCY at 215-563-5848.