Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Civic Education topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Senate panel backs bill letting high‑school students volunteer at polls for community service hours
Summary
SB 564 would authorize registered or preregistered Florida high‑school students to volunteer at polling locations for community‑service hours; Duval County Supervisor of Elections and civic groups supported the measure and the committee reported it favorably.
Senator Yarbrough presented SB 564 to allow registered or preregistered high‑school students to volunteer at polling locations and receive community‑service hours as a civic learning opportunity. He described the proposal as "one of the greatest first‑hand civics lessons" for students.
Duval County Supervisor of Elections Jerry Holland testified in support, describing how the idea grew from looking for meaningful community‑service options and saying such volunteer opportunities could inspire future poll workers. The League of Women Voters waived in support; a representative from the Southern Poverty Law Center appeared. The sponsor acknowledged a possible amendment to clarify distinctions between court‑ordered community service and school graduation community‑service hours and said he would work with colleagues to refine the language. The committee recorded a favorable report on the bill.
