Dallas high school students march to the polls for early voting
Woodrow Wilson students march to the polls | Dallas News Live
Steven Dial speak to Woodrow Wilson seniors about a march to the polls that took place this week to get students involved.
DALLAS - A group for Woodrow Wilson High School students marched to the polls in Dallas this week to cast their ballots early.
What we know:
The 18-year-old students had a drumline and cheerleader escort as they walked from their campus to the polling location at the Samuell Recreation Center after school on Wednesday.
It was part of an effort to encourage civic responsibility organized by the nonprofit March to the Polls and Woodrow Wilson’s student-led Voter Empowerment Club.
What they're saying:
FOX 4’s Steven Dial talked to several of the students who were voting for the first time.
"It was definitely a great experience seeing everybody come together as a community. We all were out there marching and voting for the first time was definitely a bit nerve-wracking but I'm glad I finally got to do it and get my vote out there and help make a change," said senior Maren Fitzsimmons.
Although fellow senior Keegan Black is not quite 18, she marched with them as part of the Voter Empowerment Club to set a good example.
"It was great getting a big community from our school to get out there. And people our age don't realize what an impact we can make with just a small ballot. And it was really just inspiring seeing people just like my friend Maren here getting out there, making a difference, and putting in our ballot for a change she wants to see in our government," she said.
Voters aged 18 to 24 are the least represented in the demographics. The two students believe it’s because most young voters either don’t think they can make a difference or don’t know enough about the people they are voting for.
"I think especially through SPEC and through March to the Polls, people our age and people who are turning 18 got to learn how to vote, learn about people who were running and I think that awareness just needs to be fixed to get more people out there," Black said.
What's next:
Friday is the final day for early voting.
Election day is Tuesday.
The Source: The information in this story comes from the Woodrow Wilson High School Voter Empowerment Club and interviews with seniors Maren Fitzsimmons and Keegan Black.