Chicago Citywide Mock Election Needs YOU

The League of Women Voters will spearhead the largest mock election in the nation. It's a big project that will involve every Chicago public high school. Although they are working with Mikva Challenge and other civic participation groups, they still need volunteers to reach every student. People who have the time to volunteer are welcome. See the press release below for contact information. Citywide Mock Election Project Needs Volunteers The presidential election is a great opportunity to tap student interest and teach young people the value of being voting members of their community. From September 30th through October 3rd 2008, Chicago public high school students will participate in the largest Mock Election in the country. The Chicago Mock Election program is a key part of Illinois Student Vote, an initiative of the League of Women Voters of Illinois, the Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Board of Elections. Volunteers are needed to serve as Mock Election Officials and to register 18-year-olds to vote. The commitment requires a short training session (60 minutes) in September and working from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in a Chicago public high school on the day(s) of your choice. This is a non-partisan event and volunteer opportunity. Neither candidates nor political parties are being promoted; process and participation is. What is asked of a Mock Election Official? • Attend one 60 minute training session prior to the Mock Election • Volunteer at a participating high school on September 30, October 1, 2 or 3 • Be present at the school from 9:30am until 2:30pm What does a Mock Election Official do? • Engage students about the importance of voting and why you volunteered • Guide students through the Mock Election process • Verify eligibility of student voters and register 18-year-olds to vote • Oversee hand-counting of the ballots and report the results to http://www.illinoisstudentvote.org/ • Take pictures, if possible, and share your experience with Illinois Student Vote Please volunteer to be a Mock Election Official. We need your help to ensure full participation at each and every public high school in Chicago. Contact the Illinois Student Vote Coordinator: Bob Fuller bfuller@lwvil.org 312-939-5935 x39