Lakota Local superintendent visits AP government class, urges students to vote before Nov. 4

Ashley Whiteley, superintendent of Lakota Local Schools, visited an AP government class at Lakota West High School to discuss primary elections and urge students to participate in the Nov. 4 election.

During the visit, a student reviewed that members of the U.S. House of Representatives are up for reelection every two years and that voters elect the single member who represents their geographic district, often described in class as a "single-member district." Students exchanged views about why voting matters. One student said, "If you don't have a voice, you don't get a voice," while others said voting lets people "have influence" and "make a change." Another student suggested nonpartisan elections so voters choose candidates rather than party labels.

Whiteley said she enjoyed the discussion and reminded students that although buildings were closed for students, schools would be open to staff and voters on election day. "I encourage you to do your civic duty and go vote," she said, stressing the timeliness of the lesson on the day before the Nov. 4 election.

The classroom visit combined a short civics review — how congressional elections are timed and how district representation works — with a discussion of civic responsibility and voter participation. No formal school policy or ballot measures were discussed during the visit.