PAWTUCKET, R.I. (Oct. 26, 2007) – Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis visited Shea High School today to kick off a student-run elections project that involves more than 1,000 Pawtucket high school and middle school children.
Pawtucket students at all five high schools and middle schools came up with six ballot questions on topics ranging from whether there should be universal health insurance to whether every student should have his own text book for every class.
“Voting gives you power. As you go around your community, you’ve seen things you want to change. Voting is your way to tell elected officials what you want your future to be,” Mollis told about 400 sophomores, juniors and seniors gathered in Shea’s auditorium.
Students will vote Nov. 6 on the ballot questions, according to Mike Connelly, chairman of Shea’s Social Studies Department, who is coordinating the project. He is working closely with the Pawtucket Board of Canvassers to carry out the voting in all five schools.
The students clapped and cheered as they listened to pep talks from Connelly, Mollis and Pawtucket Registrar Ken McGill. They saved their loudest applause for one of their own - Paula Enciso - who urged them to register and vote.
“Voting is important because it can change things. It’s something that affects you, that relates to your life,” the 17-year-old senior advised her schoolmates.
The visits to Shea and Slater Middle School earlier this week by Mollis go hand-in-hand with his push to get younger voters to the polls in 2008. The Secretary of State plans to visit every Rhode Island high school and college leading up to the 2008 elections.
“I hope this project produces a new generation of voters and citizens committed to making their voices heard. Some of these young people will be our leaders of tomorrow. Now is the time to engage them,” said Mollis.
In order to register, students must be age 18 on or before Election Day 2008, residents of Rhode Island and have a valid Rhode Island driver’s license or social security number.
The Secretary of State’s office prepares the ballots for all federal, state and municipal elections held in Rhode Island. In addition, the office maintains the state’s central voter registration system and distributes handbooks that explain how to run for office, how to register to vote and how to vote.
“My goal is to make it easier for people to vote and to make government more open and accessible to everyday Rhode Islanders. The more that people are invested in their government, the better it will serve them,” said Mollis.
In addition, the Secretary of State’s office offers all Rhode Island public and private schools a curriculum dubbed “Civics 101.” The course is designed to encourage students to learn more about the workings of government and to prepare them for public service.
For more information about the programs and services the Secretary of State offers Rhode Islanders, visit www.sec.state.ri.us.
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