Committee outlines steps to expand student voter registration and preregistration ahead of November

The policy committee discussed state requirements that school districts help facilitate voter registration and preregistration for students aged 16 to 18 and agreed to continue work with school staff and community partners to expand access ahead of the November elections.

Staff and committee members described existing efforts at Ithaca High School and LACS — including classroom activities, partnerships with civic groups such as League of Women Voters and local volunteers who have supported registration drives — and discussed expanding those activities earlier in the high-school curriculum so juniors also receive information. Keith (LACS staff) described plans to use family groups at LACS to share information and asked for district support on materials and forms. Committee members suggested printed posters, district communications and partnerships with local nonprofits to increase reach.

Committee members asked staff to compile an action plan and to return to the policy committee with specifics in November. Staff noted the policy must be explicit about how the district will facilitate preregistration and that outreach should be inclusive and not tied directly to a graded course.

Members agreed the district should support promotional materials, partner with community voting groups, and explore noncourse-based opportunities to reach a wide range of students. Staff will draft specific language and program steps to be incorporated into a policy and reported back at a November meeting so preregistration efforts can run before the November 2025 election.