Encouraging the student population, Gilberto Zelaya, who works with the Board of Elections as a Community Empowerment/Public Information Officer, recruits students to serve as election workers for the upcoming November 2026 midterm elections. To be able to participate, students must be at least 16 years of age, complete a parental permission slip, as well as pass a training that prepares volunteers for their roles and teaches them current procedures. A variety of positions are open for students, including being an election judge, a job which involves checking in and assisting voters, setting up and taking down voting sites, as well as overseeing general election procedures. Zelaya hopes that serving as an election worker will help young people gain more knowledge about America’s democratic processes, in addition to serving as a gateway for them to participate in elections as future voters themselves. “Your voice is your vote, and it’s very important that our youth today participate in the franchise, because it is what it is,” Zelaya said. “Elections have consequences, so participate and get in the process.” (William Liao)