Students Buttress Democracy on Election Day

More than 20 Upper School students flexed their civic muscles on Election Day serving as student judges at polling places around the city.

Each election cycle, Upper School History teacher Andy Bigelow encourages students to take on this responsibility through the Mikva Challenge so they might gain direct experience with a vital part of the democratic process. Student election judges received four hours of training to prepare for their varied roles on Election Day and a stipend for their participation, and they reported positive experiences in the field.

Senior Kaiyen Arana shared, “Having the opportunity to participate at the forefront of democracy through election judging is truly exciting. Whether it’s seeing new faces in my neighborhood or getting to know my fellow election judges better, there is a wealth of conversations to be had. The election judge community is consistently inviting, patient and kind, which is truly amazing given all the time and hard work that goes into elections. And the same goes for my neighbors, who are always willing to be flexible and go with the flow, even when things aren’t going right. Overall, this experience truly gave me hope as I saw people of all ages come out on a cold Tuesday to engage in politics and democracy, especially given the current political climate. I recommend this opportunity to everyone, regardless of background, experience or political beliefs. It’s a meaningful way to contribute to your community, learn firsthand how our electoral system works and connect with others who care about making their voices heard.”

Junior John Swanson said, “I had a fantastic time working as an election judge. I wasn’t too excited to wake up early, but the people I met there and the experiences I had were well worth it.”

Parker is proud of the students who chose to immerse themselves in civic action this election season as they explore how to play a direct role in making the world a better place for all.