WINCHESTER HIGH SCHOOL VOTER REGISTRATION OCTOBER 10

A well-attended and lively Senior Class assembly at Winchester High School heard a strong message about the important citizen responsibility of voting in all elections. The program, sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Winchester, featured the video “First Vote,” which summarizes the long struggle to gain voting rights not only for women, but also for racial minority groups, recent immigrants and 18-year-olds.  Following the video, Marilyn Mullane spoke of her own early voting experience, inspired by a similar school assembly during the1972 election year, the first time 18-year-olds were eligible to vote.  For many election cycles up until 2004, that year marked the high point of  the 18-to-24-year-old election participation.

In the hope that this year’s participation by 18-to-24 year olds will surpass all previous records, the League arranged the high school assembly early enough in the school year to capture as many age-eligible seniors as possible before the registration deadline of October 15th.   Less than 20% of the 274-member senior class turns 18 by the November 4th election, and several of these no doubt have already registered on their own. Nonetheless, a total of 15 potential additional new voters completed forms during the registration tutorial led by Town Clerk (and League member) Mary Ellen Lannon.

LWV members Gloria Legvold and Joanne Morgan assisted with voter registration

With a few free minutes remaining at the close of the assembly, Senior Class officers presented their own slideshow—a preview of plans for the Senior Prom aboard the Odyssey cruise ship in Boston Harbor.  Needless to say, the excitement of the crowd at the wind-up of the assembly was electric! Vicky Coccoluto introduced and closed the program, and Susan Lewis, Gloria Legvold, Betsy Cregger, and Joanne Morgan assisted in the distribution, completion and collection of the voter registration forms.  Thanks to all who made this voter registration activity a success! - Vicky Coccoluto