Students register to vote for first time

County Clerk Mary Eickhoff goes over the voter registration forms with a group of FCHS students.

On April 17, students at Falls City High School were given the opportunity to register to vote for the first time. The voter registration was held in the commons area of the high school.

24 Seniors and 3 Juniors took advantage of the opportunity. They registered to vote in the primaries in May and for the general election in November. Mary Eickhoff and Patty Brown from the County Clerk's office conducted their registration.

Students fill out their voter registration with the help of American government teacher Lee Kurpgeweit.

Students have covered the right of voting in their American government classas a part of the curriculum. Students learn about the role of being a responsible citizen and exercising rights and opportunities in the nation.

Students are introduced to the voting process, political parties, the differences between primaries and general election, the role of "third" parties in the process, and the role of non-partisan voters. It is also emphasized that the process is one that is not required but one that can be exercised in our system of government. We are a nation that selects our leaders unlike many nations of the world community.