On April 30, 2024, members of the Centre for Voters Initiative & Action celebrate the introduction of the High School Voter Empowerment Act in Congress. At the podium, Samad Quraishi, a 3rd-year student at Fairfax County Public Schools’ Marshall High School and executive director of the Centre for Voters Initiative & Action
Some Virginia 17-year-olds can vote in primaries and special elections.
As of Wednesday, Aug. 14, there are 82 days until Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5. History verifies that every vote counts, and a single vote, even that of a high school student exercising the most fundamental right in a democratic society, could swing an election. However, that vote can only happen if the student registers to vote.
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) highlighted their July 31, 2024, TeacherDirect Bulletin with a reminder of the April 2, 2020, Code of Virginia amendment that added the provision, § 22.1-203.4 Public high schools; mandating that students have access to voter registration.
According to the legislation, “Each public high school shall provide to any enrolled student who is of voting age or is eligible to register to vote pursuant to § 24.2-403 (i) mail voter registration applications and voter registration information provided by the Department of Elections or (ii) access to the Virginia online voter registration system on a school-owned computing device that is accessible to such student. Each student who is eligible to register to vote shall be provided the opportunity to complete an application form during the normal course of the school day.”
VDOE also states in its bulletin that its history and social science program offers an informational presentation that provides additional content on school student voter registration:
“Any person who is 17 years old and will be eighteen years of age at the next general election shall be permitted to register in advance and vote in any intervening primary or special election.”
Can you register to vote online? “Yes, if you have a Virginia driver’s license, a learner’s permit, or other DMV ID, you can. If not, then you can begin the registration process online.”
Every vote matters. According to the Virginia Department of Education, in 2017, the Virginia House of Delegates District 94 had a close vote; a recount resulted in a tie decided by drawing a name from a bowl; in 2004, a special election for the Commonwealth's attorney was held in Radford, Va., and decided by one vote.
FCPS Students Push Congressional Bills to Aid Student Voter Registration at Secondary Schools.
Students at Marshall High School in the Fairfax County Public School and others lobbied Congress to pass national legislation designating secondary schools as voter registration agencies.
On April 30, 2024, Samad Quraishi, a 3rd-year student at Marshall HS and executive director of the Centre for Voters Initiative & Action, and other student members of the Centre joined U.S. Rep. Frederica S. Wilson (D-FL-24) who introduced H.R.8192, the High School Voter Empowerment Act of 2024, and U.S. Sen. Laphonza R. Butler (D-CA), who introduced its related bill, S.4211, the High School Voter Empowerment Act of 2024. The students endorsed the bills and celebrated the introduction of the proposed legislation with elected officials. That bill has not yet become law.