Election Survey - C.H.S. Seniors

When the senior class at Central High School in Philadelphia hosted an alumni court judge, and a district attorney, they painted a compelling picture of government in our world its strengths and shortcomings. As the speakers were enthusiastically thanked by an attentive audience, a voice was heard as we exited. “Men watch Monday night football. Women watch soaps. Men vote. Women volunteer. Men get elected. Women work the polls."

Our school was an all-male community of learners for generations, the second oldest public high school in the country. It is now 50% male and 50% female. We have a woman Student Government President. Our National Merit finalists, our Westinghouse Science winners, our All-City athletes, our student association/club officers are an evenly divided group of activists who show no gender bias in number or philosophy. Yet…

Hence, Central proposed a survey. Are the results surprising? To us? To our parents? To the politician, judge, and attorney?

1. How many of you ( seniors only) voted in our student government election?
   94% Absences may have made a difference.
2. How many of us have registered to vote or plan to register when eligible?
   82%
3. Are you more interested in the national election or local election?
   National 50%
   Local 32%
   Both 18%
4. Have you ever donated time/money to any campaign, whether it be school, local, state, or federal government based?
   Yes. 24%
   No. 76%
5. Have your parents ever done so?
   Yes. 35%
   No. 13%
   I don’t know. 52%

Again, let’s educate ourselves by giving us voice. We need to hear others, one another, as we create a network for growth.

EDUCATE YOURSELF ACTION PLAN

1. QUESTION: How does voting directly affect the quality of my life? How can one vote make a difference? What other questions about voting make you crazy or confused?
2. INFORM: Learn how different sides think by clicking on Voting Rights - What's the Concern? at WomenMatter.com.
3. INTERVIEW: Interview three generations, asking what they think of voting, and LISTENING to their answers. Does voting really make a difference? Do you vote every time? If not, why not? Practice not reacting when someone says something you disagree with.
4. DISCUSS RESULTS: Share what you've learned with the girls in your club. Hold a debate: one of you defend why voting counts and one of you counter why it doesn't. Tell us what you found out on the DISCUSSION FORUM. Base your opinion (or several opinions) on data collected both formally and informally.
5. TAKE ACTION: Now that you have a better understanding of why people vote (or don?t vote), what needs to be changed? What action could you take? How about helping out a candidate who shares your opinions? You could make a $5 contribution from your babysitting money. Or register your older sister to vote; just go to WomenMatter.com. Check out the polling place in your community: are the voting machines wheelchair accessible? Easy to use? Why not get your friends together so you can teach people in your neighborhood how to use voting machines?

Posted on: 12/28/2003

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