MONTPELIER – The state’s largest union and Vermont Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas today launched “Vermont State Champions for Democracy,” a voter-registration drive aimed at engaging high school students turning 18 and setting them on a life-long path of voting.
“The foundation of our democracy – and the power to ensure our government works for us – is voting,” said Don Tinney, a high school English teacher who serves as the elected president of the 13,000-member Vermont-NEA. “It’s one thing to protest and advocate; it’s quite another to turn that enthusiasm into actual change. We know that when young Americans register to vote, they tend to be more engaged citizens who cherish their right to select the people who represent them.”
Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas said the contest coincides with her years-long effort to support civic engagement amongst Vermont’s youth. “I’ve heard from many young Vermonters that they don’t see themselves in their government,” said Secretary Copeland Hanzas. “And then when we show them how easy it really is to get involved, and how much of a difference their vote and their voice can make, it’s a powerful thing.”
The voter-registration drive will add a little bit of fun to the process. High Schools will compete in several categories:
- Most 12th Graders Registered
- Highest Percentage of 12th Graders Registered
- Most Towns Represented in One School
The Vermont State Champions for Democracy contest will run through mid-May, and both Tinney and Copeland Hanzas hope it results in hundreds of new voters.
“I first registered nearly 50 years ago, and that set me on a life-long habit of voting,” Tinney said. “Regardless of whether my chosen candidate wins or loses, it’s vital to our democracy to get out and vote.”
“When we talk about registration and turnout rates, what we’re really talking about is who is making the decisions that impact all of us,” explained Secretary Copeland Hanzas. “I can’t wait for these new voters to experience the power of their vote, and this contest is a fun way to help welcome them to their invaluable seat at the table!”
