High School Voter Education Week to engage students in democratic process

Vicky Nguyen
A representative from the Orange County Registrar of Voters shares voter registration information with attendees at the San Juan Summer Nights Concert series in San Juan Capistrano on June 18.
A representative from the Orange County Registrar of Voters shares voter registration information with attendees at the San Juan Summer Nights Concert series in San Juan Capistrano on June 18. (Photo courtesy of Orange County Registrar of Voters office)

Quick look: This year’s second High School Voter Education Week will take place Sept. 15 through Sept. 26. The statewide initiative encourages students to learn about elections and preregister to vote, with resources available through the Secretary of State and the California Department of Education.

California’s second High School Voter Education Week of the year will take place Sept. 15 through Sept. 26, offering students opportunities to engage with the democratic process and learn how to participate in elections.

Led by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, the statewide initiative is observed twice a year, once in the spring and again in the fall, to promote civic learning and encourage students ages 16 and 17 to pre-register to vote. The first observance of 2025 was held April 14 through April 25.

California pre-registration to vote flyer

Preregistration enables eligible students to be automatically registered when they turn 18. Since the program launched in 2016, nearly 1.4 million students have preregistered to vote, resulting in more than 1.1 million eligible voters.

Schools are encouraged to support the effort by hosting civic learning activities, collaborating with local election officials and sharing voter registration resources. The California Secretary of State’s Office provides toolkits and other materials for educators, families and students at sos.ca.gov/elections/high-school-programs.

Students may also explore opportunities to serve as poll workers during elections. Under Senate Bill 955, students in grades six through 12 are allowed one excused absence per year to participate in a civic or political event with prior notice.

Eligible students can register or preregister to vote at registertovote.ca.gov. Schools and districts are encouraged to share this resource on websites, in newsletters and through other communication channels.

High School Voter Education Weeks also provide an opportunity for students to work toward earning the State Seal of Civic Engagement, which recognizes high school students who demonstrate excellence in civics education and participation. Additional information about the seal is available at cde.ca.gov/ci/pl/hssstateseal.asp.

For questions or additional support, contact the secretary of state’s Outreach and Education team at SOSOutreach@sos.ca.gov or 916-584-3538, or the California Department of Education’s High School Innovations and Initiatives Office at HSIIO@cde.ca.gov or 916-319-0893.