San Francisco Sun

The Department of Elections Enhances Youth Engagement for the November 5 Election

Sep 6, 2024

Department of Elections

City and County of San Francisco

John Arntz, Director

For Immediate Release

SAN FRANCISCO, Friday, September 6, 2024 – The Department of Elections is expanding its outreach efforts to engage San Francisco’s young residents in the upcoming election through new initiatives and partnerships.

“Through our outreach strategies and partnerships, the Department of Elections is committed to cultivating a generation of informed and engaged voters,” said Director John Arntz. “By connecting with young residents and utilizing our community relationships, we are dedicated to providing them with the information and resources necessary to become active participants in the voting process.”

The Department works year-round to promote pre-registration for residents aged 16 and 17, activating these registrations on their 18th birthday. This fall, the Department will send notices to newly eligible voters about their voting options and resources for first-time voters.

Starting in September, the Department will also distribute notices to college students in local dormitories, reminding them of their voter registration options and emphasizing that they can register at either their school or home address.

To support student voting, the Department will place ballot drop boxes on several college campuses starting 29 days before Election Day. Drop boxes will be available at the University of California Law, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco State University, and the City College of San Francisco’s Chinatown, Downtown, and Mission campuses.

To enhance civic engagement, the Department will once again offer its High School Student Poll Worker Program. This program encourages students aged 16 and older to gain hands-on experience with the voting process while earning a stipend and assisting their communities on Election Day. Each election, between 500 and 800 students from local high schools participate in this program.

Additionally, from September 16 to 27, the Department will facilitate its High School Student Ambassador Program which trains students to conduct civic outreach within their schools and neighborhoods. The fall program has seen a record 90 students from 21 public and private schools across the city participating this year.

Each Student Ambassador will be paired with a Department mentor for guidance throughout the program. At the program’s conclusion, the Department will hold a celebration to acknowledge the students' efforts in engaging their peers in the electoral process.

The Department will also leverage its longstanding relationships with local high schools and colleges by conducting presentations and distributing outreach materials to students. Collaborations with community organizations such as Mobilization for Adolescent Growth in Our Communities (MAGIC), Foster Youth Services Coordinating Program (FYSCP), Coleman Advocates for Children & Youth (CACY), and San Francisco Juvenile Hall will further enhance outreach efforts particularly for those facing challenging circumstances.

For partnership opportunities or to schedule an event contact the Department’s Outreach Team at (415) 553-0732 or email sfoutreach@sfgov.org.

San Francisco Department of Elections

1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place

City Hall Room 48

San Francisco CA 94102

(415)554-4375

www.sfelections.gov

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