By: Yael Even
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV) – In two weeks, voters will be lined up at the courthouse ready to cast their vote, and students from Don Tyson School of Innovation and Springdale High will be there to help.
While students could volunteer at the polls before, Executive Director at the Washington County Election Commissioner said students training get to do more than make sure voters stay in line. Price said once voters are trained, their duties will range from checking voters in to verifying their IDs.
“Hopefully that creates an interest that they’ll carry on when they actually can become 18, registered to vote,” Price said. “Hopefully they’ll continue to vote throughout the rest of their life.”
With the Springdale School District having a large Marshallese and Hispanic community, Price said these students help reach a diverse demographic.
“When I add in the students that gives me almost 30 to 40 bilingual poll workers that we can use throughout the springdale area and the other areas where sometimes language can be a barrier,” Price said.
Nicholas O’Keefe, AP Government Teacher at Don Tyson School of Innovation said the training allows for students to apply what they learned outside of the classroom.
“It’s another thing to actually do it, so they see the process, they’re educated,” O’Keefe said. “It’s a little intimidating to go vote for the first time and so now that they have this upfront, they know the rules”
“When I add in the students that gives me almost 30 to 40 bilingual poll workers that we can use throughout the springdale area and the other areas where sometimes language can be a barrier,” Price said.”
Even though the presidential primary is on the ballot, Price said local elections matter.
“Elections affect you in your daily life,” Price said. “It’s not just at the high level, local school board races, city council races, jp districts…”