ELECTION2006 Seniors get a chance this election
SAMOHI — Cheerleaders, jocks and academic enthusiasts — they come from all walks of life, but are united for one goal.
To Rock the Vote! In an age of politically apathetic teenagers, a group of Samohi students have organized an effort to encourage their older, and legally aged, peers to become more civic minded and participate in their first election next Tuesday.
Two juniors — Sara Zerehi and Brett Cline, both 16 — formed the Rock the Vote club this year to wake up the youth population and get them more involved in the issues that directly affect them.
“It’s important to get young people to vote,” said Social Studies teacher and club advisor William Gow. “The youth voter turnout number is lower than any other demographic group.”
The 40 or so students in the club have been meeting for lunch on the first Thursday of the month to discuss various propositions, measures and candidates under consideration in the 2006 election.
“We want to stress the importance of voting,” Cline said.“We have a right that doesn’t exist in most other places.”
“We want to stress the importance of voting. We have a right that doesn’t exist in most other places.” — BRETT CLINE CO-FOUNDER, ROCK THE VOTE CLUB
While munching on salads and snacks, 17 students came together on Thursday to discuss three major propositions —1D, 83 and 88. The turnout was much lower than in the previous two meetings, as the seniors were busy working on their college applications.
Proposition 1D would channel more money into public school and college buildings; Proposition 83 would increase penalties and restrictions for registered sex offenders; and Proposition 88 would amend the California constitution to create a new $50 per property tax for K-12 public school programs.
But the issue that garnered the most discussion among the teens this week was Proposition 85, which would require a doctor to notify a parent of a minor at least 48 hours before performing an abortion. The law would not require parental consent.
The proposition seems like a good idea for parents, but it would increase unsafe and illegal abortions, one student remarked.
“Tell your parents to say no on 85 and yes on 83,” another told her peers.
As the students glanced over a sample ballot that was passed around, the newest club member, Erin Corrigan, said that Measure H, a city of Los Angeles proposition that would provide safe housing for the homeless, would also directly affect them as residents of Santa Monica.
Corrigan, a senior who turns 18 today and is registered to vote, said she is unsure of her leaning in regards to Measure H.
On the one hand, there are homeless people who need help and deserve public assistance, but on the other hand, there are those who are homeless by choice and should not be granted any taxpayer-funded help, some of the students said.
Though the third meeting centered on three state propositions, the club has touched on the issues and candidates in Santa Monica’s election. The two founders said they wanted to start the club by examining local issues and slowly expand its focus to regional, state and national issues.
The increasing membership and interest in the club came as a surprise to Cline and Zerehi, who only expected a handful of students to join. On Monday, club members plan a concerted effort to remind their eligible peers to vote, and hopefully, encourage more students to join.
Overall, students in Santa Monica are more invested in politics than their peers in other cities, thanks to an example the adults have set.
“Santa Monica is very politically astute, as a whole,” Corrigan said.
Recognizing the importance of voting, Corrigan recently decided to join the club. She expects Tuesday will be a momentous occasion in her political life.
“I think it’s very important Americans have a chance to submit to an issue,” she said. “If everyone does not submit to an issue, (the result) is not an accurate reflection of the population.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on November 3, 2006. Read the original PDF.