Encourage Teen Participation in Upcoming Elections

With upcoming elections in June and November, California’s Secretary of State (SOS) encourages high school students, educators, and families to learn about the election process and participate firsthand. Learning about the election process and getting involved early on leads to lifelong habits of participation, according to the SOS office. Educators in particular play important roles in helping students become informed and engaged participants in democratic systems.  

Opportunities for Teens to Get Involved

April 13-24 marks California’s High School Voter Education Weeks. The initiative raises awareness and encourages students ages 16 and 17 to preregister to vote so their registration automatically becomes active when they turn 18. Since 2016, this program has registered more than 1.1 million eligible voters. 

Students age 16 and older are eligible to serve as poll workers, with the added incentive of an excused absence from school for poll location duty and a stipend. To encourage participation, SOS also provides a student poll worker recruitment flyer. 

Registration for the 2026 California Student Mock Election is now open. This statewide program takes place Oct. 6 and gives students a hands-on opportunity to experience the voting process. 

Learn more and get participation details for all programs from the SOS High School and Youth Initiatives website.

Additionally, the San Diego County Office of Education provides an online Teaching About Voting and Elections guide with resources and teaching tips for multiple grade levels.