LOCAL SCHOOLS HELP REGISTER YOUNG PEOPLE FOR ELECTIONS

High schools in Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Scott City are doing their part for democracy by educating eligible students about the voter registration process.

More than 350 18-year-olds have registered at the three schools this week. School officials said by sponsoring the registrations they are rejuvenating an interest in the democratic process.

"We're trying to develop an interest in first-time voters," said Julia Jorgensen, Central High School librarian. "I would hope that it would help make our communities better."

Jorgensen said some 150 Central High School students registered over a two-day period this week. The school began registering students for the first time as part of the First Vote Missouri program sponsored by Secretary of State Beckki Cook.

"It's kind of a hassle to go down to the voter registration office and fill out the paperwork -- that's if the student is even able to find it," Jorgensen said. "They felt if they put it in the schools they'd have a better turnout."

Each Central student was registered and then walked through a sample election. Teachers helped with the process, which is on-going in the school library.

School officials said interest in voting seems to vary among students. Some students shy away from voting because they are afraid of the election process, they said. Others are interested in registering but may be intimidated because they are surrounded by older voters when they go to the polls.

Schools can help reduce students' wariness about the registration and election process because the students are learning from people they already know.

"We're hoping that would cause them not to be afraid to go and vote," said Jorgensen. "I'm hoping that by making this voter registration very easy and community friendly for our students, they will find it's not a bother to go and vote."

Jackson and Scott City high schools have served as voter registration centers for high school students for several years. In an effort to get students prepared for elections April 6, registration drives were held at both schools this week.

Some 180 Jackson students were registered by Cape Girardeau County Clerk Rodney Miller Wednesday. Scott City schools register about 20 students on average each year.