Broward County Public Schools announced this past spring on their voting website that Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School has the highest number of students registered to vote out of all schools in BCPS. BCPS counts the number of seniors and juniors registered to vote every school year in the spring and announces the numbers a couple weeks after.
Social studies teachers at MSD strive to motivate students to register to vote and take part in the democratic process, in order to continue having the highest number of student voters in the county.
“I think it’s important to vote because it’s a great way of participating in a democracy,” senior Daniel Burris said. “I love having my voice heard and think voting is the perfect way to do so.”
MSD has had the largest number of registered student voters for multiple school years, ranging from around 500 to 1000 students every year. This past spring, 647 students registered, whereas other schools normally get around 10-15 registered students.
Voting is one method in which students can express and voice their political opinions and participate in the democratic process. Some social studies teachers at MSD have even recognized an increase in students’ interest in their class after registering to vote.
“I think the interest goes up a little bit, just because now they’re actually playing a part in the process and then they recognize that the closer we get to an election is typically the time we do start to register them,” United States History teacher Michael Marino said. “So they become a little bit more involved or pay attention a little bit more.”
Social studies teachers at MSD push students to register to vote by incorporating voting into their curriculum and explaining how important it is to be involved in democracy. Some teachers do this by talking about elections and their effects, which helps students understand how important voting is. Local election officials from BCPS visit history classes near the end of the school year and help students register to vote.
Students are eligible to pre-register to vote when they turn 16 and will obtain their voter registration card at 18.
“We can kind of teach the kids what the expectations are and how to go about the process,” Marino said. “That way if there’s any confusion at least they have somebody there to provide them with in depth answers and actually have a connection instead of just passing them along.”
By educating students about voting, teachers have seen an influx in involvement in their classes and communities. Some teachers, like Advanced Placement Government teacher Jeff Foster, encourage students to take initiative by contacting a congressman or going to a city meeting.
Teachers at MSD teach students how their vote can impact the country on a larger scale and the importance of having this information. Being an informed voter, means that students will be able to identify misinformation and avoid it, as well as hold politicians accountable. This may also enhance participation and give students the confidence to express their opinions.
“My kids once a week go on Zoom and discuss political issues with kids from other high schools, from Philadelphia, from New Jersey, from New York, from Sarasota and Saratoga,” Foster said. “It’s a good way to realize that we’re not the only people that exist, that other people have different opinions and your background has a big impact on how you feel about things.”
Teachers continue to push their students to vote to help MSD maintain its reputation as the BCPS school with the highest number of registered voters. By registering to vote, students have the chance to feel heard, participate in democracy and hold political officials accountable. Whether or not students choose to vote, MSD ensures that option is always available.
