As the Nov. 8 election gets closer, county clerks across Texas will be working hard to ensure they have enough election workers to ensure a smooth voting experience and to comply with a long list of laws, rules, and procedures around the act of casting and counting ballots.
This process isn’t easy, but it could be made easier if more students, educators, and administrators knew that Texas allows for youths aged 16 and older to serve as student election workers.
The bill that authorized student election clerks passed over 10 years ago, but there’s still an opportunity to raise awareness and encourage more young people to take part. It is recommended that qualified students apply to serve as election workers at least 60 days in advance of the election – in this case Sept. 9.
“I think there’s plenty of education research to show experiential learning is very effective,” said Renée D. Cross, senior director of the Hobby School of Public Affairs at the University of Houston. “It’s not only important to learn about democracy and government but to get hands-on experience to build lifelong habits.”
High-school principals are already required by the state to offer students the chance to register to vote if they are 18 or will turn 18 that school year. And the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) requires instruction on voting in every grade level, from elementary through high school, with increasing complexity.
Amid those conversations, getting teens up to speed on the opportunities to serve as student election clerks shouldn’t be a stretch. Besides being at least 16 years or older on Election Day and filling out the application in advance of the 60-day deadline, the requirements are straightforward. Student applicants must be U.S. citizens who are enrolled in a public, private or qualified homeschool. They must also have the consent of their parents/legal guardians, as well as their school principal, and complete any required election worker training.
“I do think the state could do a better job of outreach to schools to encourage this activity,” Cross said. “There should be some money set aside for voter education in high school, if not before.”
The state is already doing a good job of making information about the student election clerk program available on its website, including links to the application. And the Texas Education Agency has determined that students who work as clerks during early voting or on election day will qualify for an excused absence, up to two days per year.
For those hired to work, the benefits are many. Student election clerks are paid for their service, with some counties paying up to $17 an hour. In addition, by working as student election clerks, students get hands-on experience with democracy at the grassroots level.
“This gives them a comfort level with the whole election process, and that to me is critical because we all learn by doing,” said Nancy Kral, a longtime volunteer with the League of Women Voters in Houston and political science professor at Lone Star College.
Having a clear understanding of how the voting process works can also help pave the way to establishing a regular practice of voting when the student turns 18 and becomes eligible. “It can be a very intimidating process for people of all ages, the first time you vote,” Kral said.
As educators try to instill a knowledge and appreciation for democracy among their students, consider letting your high schoolers know about the benefits of serving as student election clerks, from hands-on experience to extra pocket money. “It’s definitely a win-win,” Cross said.
For more information about student election clerks, visit votetexas.gov.
Many thanks to Sylvia Wood from TEV partner, Texas Association of School Boards (TASB), for this week’s guest blog!