Morro Bay High School was announced as the winner of San Luis Obispo County’s first high school voter registration competition on Monday.
The competition took place from Sept. 16-27 during the California Secretary of State’s High School Voter Education Weeks initiative. Morro Bay High School registered 28 percent of eligible voters, according to Erin Clausen, San Luis Obispo Clerk-Recorder Public Information Specialist.
Morro Bay High School was awarded with a trophy and a $250 check. Due to successful turnout, the competition will now occur every two years.
Between the six competing high schools, 560 students registered to vote.
The League of Women Voters of San Luis Obispo County and the San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder’s Office collaborated in running the competition.
This year’s competition also encouraged students who are 16 and 17 to pre-register to vote, creating a more widespread effort, said Julie Rodewald, Director of Voter Service for the League of Women Voters of San Luis Obispo County.
Morro Bay High School government and economics teacher Laura Van Zee has worked to help register eligible students since 2017, but the county-wide competition created a new wave of motivation for students, Van Zee said.
“As a teacher and somebody who’s passionate about government, I can teach those kids, I can give them the opportunity,” Van Zee said. “But it just means so much more when it comes not [from] the teacher, [but] from an outside source.”
Van Zee ensured success for her students by allotting class time for voter registration. She employed her current students to reach out to those harder to reach, such as students who took government and economics over the summer.
The best part of the experience was her students’ excitement over the accomplishment and recognition, Van Zee said.
“I think it still was a really positive thing to recognize,” Van Zee said. “Our community sees the steps [students are] taking.”
All participating high schools had the opportunity to bring the League of Women Voters of San Luis Obispo County to speak to students. Morro Bay High School jumped on the opportunity immediately, Clausen said.
Members explained the importance of voting, voting history and how to be an informed voter. They also directed students towards resources to learn more about candidates and measures, Rodewald said.
“We really try and encourage [students] to start the habit early and be one of those forever voters,” Rodewald said. “It’s an important part of being a United States citizen.”
