Pennsylvania Department of State Honors Purchase Line High School for Voter Registration Achievement

COMMODORE, Pa., Dec. 20, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Acting Secretary of State Robert Torres today awarded Purchase Line High School students the Governor's Civic Engagement Award for their efforts to encourage voting and civic participation.

"The Governor's Civic Engagement Award encourages young adults to begin exercising their right to vote as soon as they are eligible," Secretary Torres said. "It is heartening to see students so eager to claim this sacred right of citizenship."

The Governor's Civic Engagement Award is a cooperative effort by the Departments of Education and State, in collaboration with Inspire U.S., a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works to transform young leaders' inspiration into action. The program offers resources and guidance for student leaders as they educate their peers regarding the electoral process and the importance of civic engagement.

Eligibility for the award is measured by the percentage of voter registrations among a school's eligible student population. Students may register to vote if they are 18 years of age or will turn 18 on or before the date of the next primary, special, municipal, or general election.

Schools that attain 85 percent voter registration among their eligible student population will qualify for the Gold Level award, while those that register 65 percent will be honored with the Silver Level award.

"This award reflects long-standing practices within the Purchase Line School District social studies department to instill in the Purchase Line student body their role as future voters," said district Superintendent Joseph A. Bradley.  "Furthermore, this award aligns with the PLSD community's strong sense of love of country, respect for those that serve or served, and protection of our citizens' rights.  The students identified in the Governor's Civic Engagement Award ceremony embody the PLSD mission of 'Pursue Lifetime Success and Development' by embracing their responsibility and privilege to vote."

In November, Conestoga High School in Chester County became the first school to receive the Governor's Civic Engagement Award.

High schools can sign up directly with Inspire U.S., which will support student leaders as they coordinate peer-to-peer voter registration drives and efforts to get out the vote. Inspire U.S. also assists with materials and data management, and in organizing school celebrations and recognition events.

More information about the award is available on the Department of State website.

Monday, April 16, 2018, is the deadline to register for the May 15 primary election.  Applications for new registration, change of address or change in party affiliation must be submitted online before midnight on that day.  Traditional paper registration applications must be postmarked no later than April 16.

For more information on voter registration, please call the Department of State's toll-free hotline at 1-877-VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772) or visit votesPA.com.

Printer-friendly Pennsylvania voter education materials can be found on the Department of State's votespa.com website.

MEDIA CONTACT:  Wanda Murren, 717-783-1621

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of State

Related Links

http://www.state.pa.us