By Alex Piazza and Daniela Palatchi
The Legal Studies Club held a voter registration drive this Tuesday, the 17th, to encourage eligible seniors to register to vote in the upcoming presidential election. The drive was held in the Woodruff Atrium. At the drive, pamphlets were handed out that included information about early voting and the registration process in Georgia.
Ms. Jodi Hester is a college counselor and the Legal Studies club moderator here on campus, as well as a Fulton County Deputy Registrar. Ms. Hester works with seniors every day and describes herself as a passionate advocate for civic engagement. She explained that most seniors can’t vote in primary elections but become eligible in time for runoffs, which play a major role in Georgia politics due to our laws around runoffs; therefore, young voters make a huge impact on election results.
“I’m an educator, so I absolutely believe that the youth are our future,” Ms. Hester said. “I think [they make] a real big difference and I think it’s gonna come down to Gen Z being involved.”
Julia Moss ‘25 and Lasya Paladugu ‘25 are the co-presidents of the Legal Studies Club. The idea for the drive came from Julia last year when she realized that she didn’t have the slightest idea how to register to vote. With some Google research and help from Ms. Hester, Julia put together an official Fulton County voter registration drive.
Julia Moss ‘25 running the voter registration booth for non-Fulton County residents, candy at the ready for passersby who grab information. Photo credit Auria Araghi and Sadler Wilson
“Registering to vote can be complicated,” Julia said. “It’s kind of confusing. How old do I have to be? What county? How do I do it? What do I need? What information do I need? I hope through the drive we help people register to vote and know how and make sure that the Woodward community can use their voice in the election.”
Woodward is taking strides to encourage political involvement in one of our country’s most divided and tense elections, while also reminding the community to adhere to the Woodward Way.
“We’re kind of just focusing on the importance of using your voice, no matter what side it’s for,” Julia said. “Everyone deserves to have a say in the election.”
According to Ms. Hester, there are about 60 Woodward seniors who will be eligible to vote by November 5th. Daniel McCall ‘25 belongs to the majority of seniors who can’t be journeying to the polls this fall. He believes that voting is the most impactful way for voters’ voices to be heard, and not having a say in the election makes him feel that he, as an individual, does not have a say in our country’s future.
“This is the way of life,” Daniel said. “This is the next four years of our life, this is our future, and if I don’t have a say in it, then, like, I’m living in a life that I don’t have a voice in.”
Zoey Little ‘25 has an alternate approach of looking at the election season: she reflected on a time when some people didn’t have the right to vote. The 15th Amendment was ratified February 3rd, 1870, giving men the right to vote regardless of “race, color, or previous conditional of servitude”; however, African American men faced countless obstacles within the voting process, such as poll taxes and literacy tests, and experienced harassment and discrimination when they tried to register to vote. The 19th Amendment was ratified on August 18th, 1920, which gave white women the right to vote, but excluded African American women. Then, on August 6th, 1965, the Voting Rights Act was signed into law, which enfranchised African American women, outlawed literacy tests and other limitations to voting. Even though some people can’t participate in this election because of their age, Zoey believes their voices are still heard through taking a political stance in their community.
“People think that their voice doesn’t matter, but it does and it can make a big impact,” Zoey said. “I’m really excited [to vote]. This is one thing my mom pushed onto me since I was little about how people have fought to have the right to vote because my great grandmother didn’t have the right to vote. So she’s always made sure to let me know the importance of it.”
Elliott Mainwaring ‘25 was one of many students that grabbed registration information and resources from the drive. Elliott told the butterknife that he had registered to vote online once before, but the forms didn’t load, demonstrating a shortcoming in the registration process. Elliott explained what this election meant for him and his future.
“I’m trying to look at what [the candidates] will do in terms of the issues that I feel affected by, and also try to see my future in housing and college and how to go about that,” Elliott said. “Keeping it a peaceful country, an open country.”
Elliott Mainwaring ‘25 receiving registration information from Ms. Hester. Photo credit Auria Araghi
Since the drive was a Fulton County event, it was able to reach members from our neighboring East Point community. Kishana Holland is the communications director of Lift Every Vote And Rise, a nonpartisan advocacy organization dedicated to assisting individuals to understand their rights to vote. Ms. Holland took note of the event on the Fulton County website and paid a visit to school to see what it was all about. She noted the importance of youth participation in elections.
“When you see a high school [hosting a drive], it invigorates you that young people are engaged in the process,” Ms. Holland said. “For me, [since I work] in voter advocacy, we depend on young people because you are our future. So we look to you to help us and assist in making these decisions for the future of our country.”
Lift Every Vote And Rise is making strides in reaching historically underserved and underrepresented voters in the Atlanta community. Ms. Holland reinforced what the basis of voting is founded upon, which is participating in an active country.
“Civic engagement is what our country was built on,” Ms. Holland said. “We’re built on a democracy, so why not exercise your right and be a part of the solution?
Kishana Holland stops to record an interview with our beautiful butterknife staff. Photo credit Auria Araghi