Iowa’s Secretary of State is encouraging north Iowa high school students to register to vote on Tuesday (02.11) as part of Iowa High School Voter Registration Day.
Paul Pate says voter education initiatives for high schoolers focus on their future participation in Iowa elections, noting, “When young Iowans understand their role in our democracy, they become life-long voters. I’m proud to see growing numbers of 17 and 18-year-olds who are registered to vote.”
Pate says Iowa already boasts strong youth voter registration and participation rates, thanks to the Iowa law allowing 17-year-olds to register to vote and participate in primary elections if they turn 18 by the day of the general election.
Pate adds, “Iowans get it. We’re not just preparing them for their first election, we’re building the foundation for generations of civic participation.”
In 2024, nearly 16,000 Iowa high school students were registered to vote as part of the Carrie Chapman Catt Award program, which goes to schools that register at least 90% of their eligible students to vote. Pate established the award in 2019 named after Catt, who grew up in Charles City and, in 1885, became the first female superintendent of the Mason City School District.
Catt was also instrumental in securing passage of the 19th Amendment, granting women the right to vote.
*Pic courtesy Iowa Secertary of State
