Registering Lions to Vote

Every day, St. Mark’s is preparing young men to go out into the world and make a positive difference in their communities. One of the most tangible ways Marksmen can do this is by voting. When students turn 18, they earn not only the right but also the responsibility to become active and engaged citizens. To help Marksmen navigate this civic journey, the Parents’ Association is leading a Voter Registration Drive to inform and register eligible adults to vote in the upcoming state primaries.

 

“Most people don’t recognize that their impact is magnified in smaller elections. Historically, fewer people cast a ballot in those elections, so, for those who do show up, their impact is magnified,” said Moyo Ajaja, Parents’ Association Voter Registration Chair. “Those smaller elections have a more direct impact on the quality of our daily life than the outcome of presidential elections.”

 

Volunteer Deputy Registrars will be at a table in the Alumni Commons from 10:45 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. every Tuesday through March 1 (look for the VOTE poster). Volunteers will help complete voter registration applications and deliver them to the appropriate counties. You can also complete an online application here. You must be 18 years old by the date of the election and applications take about a month to process, so make sure to register early! Voters who are already registered will have a chance to cast a ballot next during the March 1 primaries. 

“Registering to vote and voting is important for boys because it is both an act of positively engaging in a community of which he is a part and thoughtful civic participation,” said Korey Mack ’00, St. Mark’s Admissions Officer, who is assisting with the Drive. “We’re helping boys understand the tremendous political power they yield and debunk the frequently held misconception that young people have no voice in the process.”

 

Primaries allow voters to indicate their preference for their party’s candidate, or a candidate in general, in an upcoming election. Students not eligible to vote in this year’s state primary will have voting opportunities in the near future, including the local, state, and national elections on November 8, 2022.

 

“We are fortunate to have an extremely conscientious student body that wants to make the world a better place,” said Dr. John Perryman, Director of Civic Responsibility and Upper School English and history teacher, who is also assisting with the voter registration drive. “I am constantly impressed and inspired by their idealism, their desire to learn, and their commitment to care for the larger world. We are committed to making this registration opportunity a regular event on the school calendar.”