Today I sent a letter to the Arlington P.S. school board and my local high school’s PTA urging on-premises voter registration in high schools. I was a little overwhelmed by a very enthusiastic response from the PTA. I am asking for guidance from any in the area for how to initiate this. I’ve started by contacting VADF (Virginia Democracy Forward). Thanks for any help. Here is the letter:
Hello,
I have two young sons who will be attending Yorktown High School, one beginning next year. I am writing to urge that Yorktown promote registration and absentee voting on its premises. I have contacted Arlington's school board with the same request.
The current generation have been betrayed by ours and it is the last hope for all of us that they learn to gain and wield political power. This week will see hundreds of thousands -- millions, in fact -- nominally protesting in favor of gun control, but we all know it is something broader.
Many Arlington high schoolers will graduate to go down the road to the jewel of Virginia's university system in Charlottesville. As we know from events last summer, when fully armed Nazis and Klansmen assembled there, these kids will be on a literal front line against recrudescent white supremicism, fascism and authoritarianism. Autocrats and all corrupt regimes, from communists to the far right, will always attack and intimidate students among their first targets.
Show solidarity with them. As parents, let's not overestimate the esteem these young people have for us, or forfeit the right to what respect they do have. Many of us participate in their school and social lives out of love and protectiveness. At this point, however, they don't need us to be their chaperones. On Saturday, we will see them in the streets calling us to conscience. Let's try to match them with the courage of our convictions and make sure they can continue to heal this sick country with their voices and votes.
Provide them the opportunity to register at school and encourage them to vote.