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Committee clears student voter-registration policy for a first reading with wording tweaks
Summary
The committee read a draft requiring principals to provide voter registration/preregistration access via homeroom or school events, to host information twice a year, and to partner with community resources; members agreed not to name specific organizations and to ensure registration is not a graded assignment.
The policy committee reviewed a draft of policy 5605 directing the district to provide high-school students access to voter registration and preregistration materials and assistance during the school year. A committee member read draft language specifying that principals should ensure access through homeroom or morning meetings, at least two schoolwide events annually, and by displaying applications in front offices.
The draft also recommends partnership with community resources (for example, the county board of elections or nonprofit groups) to help with registration events and filing assistance. Committee members agreed not to name specific groups in policy text to avoid outdated references; the Chair suggested phrasing that refers to “nonprofit groups committed to encouraging young people to participate in elections.”
Members added clarifying language to make clear voter registration or preregistration shall not be a course requirement or a graded assignment and that there will be no penalty for students who do not participate. The committee also discussed naming principals or broader high-school administration (including assistant principals) as responsible parties and confirmed the district’s existing practice of partnering with community groups.
The committee agreed the draft is ready for a first reading to the full board and will seek input from the Ithaca High School principal (Karen) before a second reading scheduled for the Jan. 6 meeting. The committee advised staff to do limited wordsmithing and return a revised draft for the first reading on the regular board agenda.
