INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The supervisor of elections office wants to make sure residents – including students – do not miss out on their chance to vote in the upcoming election and other elections in following years.
“We’re targeting the youth so they’re prepared for the 2020 election year,” Indian River County Supervisor of Elections Leslie Swan said. “If they pre-register at ages 16 and 17, they are automatically registered to vote when they turn 18.”
Video posted Monday by IRC Supervisor of Elections Office. *Click audio icon in lower right hand corner for sound.
The Supervisor of Elections Office visited five high schools and a college Tuesday and registered 50 voters. Those schools were Sebastian River High School, Vero Beach High School, Indian River County Charter High School, St. Edward’s School, Master’s Academy and Indian River State College Mueller Campus.
We had a wonderful time registering voters at all five of the high schools, as well as, Indian River State College Mueller Campus for #NationalVoterRegistrationDay. Thank you to everyone who played a role in making this huge event happen! pic.twitter.com/zs1Cuga6zk
— Vote Indian River (@VoteIndianRiver) September 24, 2019
The elections office joined several other organizations across the country in informing residents about the importance of being a registered voter, which was part of National Voter Registration Day.
“18 to 25 year-olds are least likely to vote,” Swan said. “Voting young starts a lifelong habit of voting. We have to take the first steps in getting them registered first.”
The Supervisor of Elections Office visits schools periodically to encourage students to get registered. Students would need their driver’s license or the last four digits of their social security number to get signed up, Swan said.
Swan said having a Florida voter registration card also proves a student’s residency, making them eligible for in state tuition.
In Florida, residents must be registered 29 days before the election to be eligible to vote. Swan said Indian River County sees a 20 to 23 percent voter turnout for municipal elections and a 76 to 80 percent turnout for presidential elections.
Students, along with residents, can also register online at voteindianriver.com.