Democracy 101 High School Outreach Program

About the Program

Category: Civic Education and Public Information (Best in Category)

Year: 2023

In 2021, the Clerk’s Office kicked off its outreach program with a sticker design contest, which celebrated Santa Fe culture and inspired civic engagement among high school students. In 2022, this program was expanded into a three-pronged civic engagement platform, Democracy 101. Students had the opportunity to register or pre-register to vote, participate in a mock election with one of our tabulators, and meet with the County Clerk and her staff to learn a nonpartisan civics and voting lesson. Hundreds of students at each school learned about each branch of government, the different kinds of elections and what appears on each ballot. They also had a reinforcing hands-on lesson of how the election process specifically works. Students saw how quickly and accurately tabulation produced results, and witnessed first-hand the steps the office takes to ensure a secure and accurate election. Students, teachers, and parents greatly appreciated the dedication of the Clerk's Office to get young people registered to vote and interested in the democratic process. The Clerk’s Office also took the opportunity to recruit student poll workers who are an invaluable asset during election season.