Foothill Students Organizing Voter Registration Rally

PLEASANTON, CA — Students at Foothill High School are hosting a voter registration rally Wednesday aimed at registering and pre-registering eligible students to vote.

The rally is organized by the Foothill Coalition, a group of campus clubs aimed at promoting school culture, civic engagement, and career opportunities. It is mandatory for juniors and seniors, and aims to register or pre-register 90% of the school's more than 1250 eligible students. It will feature an introductory PowerPoint on the history of voting and its importance, followed by an appearance by Pleasanton Mayor Karla Brown. Trained and certified volunteers from the League of Women Voters will then show students how to fill out the appropriate registration forms. Anyone who fills out a form will be entered into a raffle, which will be announced at the end of the rally.

"The youth voter participation has been rather dismal ever since the passage of the 26th amendment. Our goal with the voter registration rally is to increase the number of Foothill students (pre)registered to vote, thus facilitating greater voter participation among the youth in America. Currently, the 18-29 year old demographic makes up 40.6% of the eligible electorate, meaning that if we all registered, the youth vote would carry the election."

According to a study from Statista, just 49.1% of Americans aged 18-24 are registered to vote in 2022, compared to 77.9% of 65 to 74-year-olds. A study from Tufts University found that youth voter registration in 34 states is lower in 2024 than it was in 2020.

Not sure if you’re registered to vote, or need to change your address? You can find out here and make any changes you may need, as well. Californians need to register to vote by Oct. 21 to vote in the Nov. 5 election. You can also register in person on Election Day for a conditional ballot.

Pleasanton voters can register online, or at any county elections office, public library, post office, or DMV. See here for more information or to register online for Alameda County.