On January 24, Juniors and Seniors at Santa Cruz area high schools will participate in the second non-partisan Civics Summit at Cabrillo College.
The Santa Cruz County Democratic Central Committee is partnering with the Santa Cruz County Office of Education, Santa Cruz Elections and IGNITE at Cabrillo College to create this exciting opportunity for students to learn about the power of participation in the democratic process and to develop a better understanding about the roles of local elected officials.
Local officials slated to participate span from State Senator Monning, local city council members, school board trustees and superior court judges. The theme of the event is “Your Vote is Your Voice.”
“The presidential election is the main focus this year, but there are many other offices that have an equal impact on our local communities. We hope to help students understand not only how our local governments work, but who makes these decisions and how they do it,” said Coco Raner-Walter, Chair of the Santa Cruz County Democratic Central Committee.
The 2020 Civics Summit provides a way for local elected officials and students from all around Santa Cruz county to meet and discuss the issues they care about the most. Students will also be able to learn about the how, when, and where of voting.
A mock election will also be held so students may practice what they learn using an actual voting booth. This year students were asked to submit options for “There Ought To Be A Law” for voting in the mock election. Election results will be announced at the end of the day.
“The Elections Department wants new voters to understand how voting works in our community, how to use our new voting system, what are their rights as voters and the critical role they play in the future of our local communities,” said Gail Pellerin, County Clerk.
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For more information about registering to vote please visit www.votescount.com or to learn more about the Civics Summit, please visit CivicsSummit.org.