November 2, 2006
Over 100 Heights High students will spend Election Day (November 7) as poll workers learning about democracy and assisting in the election process. The four Government teachers asked Cuyahoga County Board of Elections officials to visit and discuss procedures for voting on the new electronic machine and present the opportunity to help at polling places.

"We want our students to understand the election process and be knowledgeable about voting – the core of our democracy," Government teacher Mary Kaye McDade said. "We also wanted to give them an opportunity to participate at a higher level by working at a polling place on Election Day."

When elections workers came to Jane Simeri’s Government class, they brought an electronic voting machine, voter registration cards, and voter instruction guides. Students practiced on the machines, and many of the seniors were old enough to register to vote. Seniors Don Taratino and Latoya Porch will celebrate their 18th birthday while working at the polls.

All senior students are required to take the one semester Government class, and this semester will feature both statewide and local elections. Heights High Government teachers use the November elections as a real world example of government and democracy in action.

Students who want to work at the polls on November 7 must be at least 17 years old and complete a 4 or 8 hour training class. The longer training is required for the technical support of the voting machines, and the 4 hour training is required for students who will sign in the voters.