About 40 students at Oak Forest High School participated in a hands-on training session to become election judges in a program designed to boost civic engagement among youth. Organized in collaboration with the Chicago Bears and the Cook County Clerk’s Office, this initiative took place on January 7, 2024, just days before the Bears’ playoff game against the Green Bay Packers.
The training session was part of a pilot program called “Defenders of DA’Mocracy,” which aims to increase voter participation among young individuals. According to Ryan Nagle, social studies department supervisor for Bremen High School District 228, approximately 30 of the students were attending such training for the first time. He noted the enthusiasm in the room, stating, “Students can sense that their role in democracy matters now, not just like maybe in the future, because they’re actively participating in it.”
The program has trained a total of 150 high school juniors and seniors to serve as election judges on an early voting day set for February 26, 2024. This special day is dedicated to school faculty, students, and staff residing in Cook County. Training sessions also took place at John Hersey High School in Arlington Heights.
Engaging the youth in the electoral process is crucial, especially given the historical low turnout rates among young voters. According to Edmund Michalowski, Deputy Clerk of Elections, fewer than 1% of voters aged 18 to 22 typically participate in municipal elections, while turnout for midterms and presidential elections hovers below 5%. Nagle emphasized the importance of educating students on how to encourage their peers to register and vote, highlighting that confusion over registration deadlines and a lack of outreach contribute to these low participation rates.
He remarked, “Knowledge is power; students might not have known about this stuff aside from the general information they learn in their civics courses.” To further incentivize participation, each student received a raffle ticket for a chance to win a signed football from D’Andre Swift, a running back for the Chicago Bears.
During the training, Lee Twarling, senior vice president of the Chicago Bears, delivered an inspiring speech on the significance of civic involvement. Nagle described the moment as “really cool,” especially given its timing before a crucial playoff game.
Nagle also reflected on the shift in civic education over the years, noting that such opportunities for student engagement were rarely discussed two decades ago. He mentioned that students who had previously served as election judges actively promoted the training to their peers. While each school could recommend only eight students for this program, others still have the option to apply for separate training to serve on traditional election days.
By hosting a dedicated early voting day for school staff and students, the program aims not only to educate but also to facilitate voter turnout. Nagle stated, “To have them have that option to come down on their lunch and vote, that’s something.” This initiative represents a significant step in fostering a culture of civic participation among the younger generation.