Penacook:  On October 15, a voter registration drive was held at the Merrimack Valley High School. Twelve supervisors from six different towns volunteered to assist.

Offering eligible students an opportunity to register in our public high schools has increased throughout our state. This year, 27 high schools have held voter registration drives.

Sam Cassin, High School Voter Registration Coordinator for Open Democracy NH, a nonprofit nonpartisan organization located in Concord and Donna Baker-Hartwell of Third Act New Hampshire organized the event with the support of Principal Sam York. It was held in the school library. During the event, 17 students registered to vote in the upcoming election. It is our hope that this will be a first step for these students in a lifetime of voter participation. 

“Across our nation, roughly 30 percent of 18-year-olds are registered to vote. In New Hampshire, that number was as low as 9 percent. Registration drives have helped to increase these numbers to over 21 percent! We want to keep the momentum going — doubling and tripling young people to become informed voters (Open Democracy).”