By Dee Anne Finken, Communications Portfolio Director, LWV of Washington

Getting a job, going off to college, joining the military, or making a commitment to volunteer in the community are typical steps a teen takes to become an adult.   

So is voting for the first time.  

Which is why League members in Clark County have turned to high school career fairs for a location to register young adults and promote civic engagement. 

“We fit right in … with businesses, colleges, the military and nonprofits,” said Sara Bennett, who leads the Clark County League’s high school Voter Services outreach.  

In past years, League volunteers in Vancouver have met roadblocks in securing time in civics and social studies classrooms to talk about voting.  Sometimes, the obstacles were challenges in coordinating volunteers, reluctance about classroom visits after the Covid pandemic, or teachers whose lesson plans were already full. 

But this year, between Oct. 27-Nov. 7, Vancouver School District career counselors welcomed League volunteers for the second time to 10 annual high school career fairs. 

Arriving two by two, League members showed up with promotional items, including tabletop flags, magnets, flyers, business cards and, of course, candy.   

Side by side with college representatives, human resource officers and military recruiters, the volunteer pairs staffed tables where they draped purple or blue tablecloths, displayed a League banner and handed out literature with a QR code that linked to Vote.gov for students to register.   

At some locations, students – freshmen through seniors– strolled around the multi-purpose room, stopping to chat with visitors.    

To prompt conversations, League members asked students to jot down an answer on a 2-inch-by-2-inch sticky Post-It note to this question: “Why will you vote?” All the responses were then displayed on a foam-core board. 

“Some of the students are very thoughtful,” said Bennett.  “Some said they wanted to vote for world peace.” 

The responses varied widely but they were always enjoyable. Some students appeared surprised to learn they could pre-register at age 16 and vote at 18. 

Many asked lots of good questions, she said. Other students seemed reticent to talk. 

“Across the board, though, the kids have been super polite,” said Bennett. “It’s always a very, very good experience.” 

Bennett smiled when she recalled a couple of students at a career fair who pointed out to the League volunteer that it was Election Day. 

Bennett said the assignment is good for newer volunteers because the duty isn’t overly challenging. 

She recommends anyone interested in high school outreach start by asking the school office manager or head secretary to connect them with whoever is in charge of career and college fairs. 

“And get to the school early because sometimes parking can be challenging.” 

In Vancouver, League volunteers this year typically visited two schools, one for up two hours in the morning and another stint in the afternoon at another school. 

For more information about LWV Clark County's outreach to high schools, email Bennett at Sfbennett622@gmail.com.