Young, Eligible Voters Respond To Gun-Violence In School

The deadline to register to vote in Florida’s closed primaries was last Monday. It seems that young voters in Florida are readily prepared for the upcoming primary election toward the end of August and the general election in November.

After the devastating shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School in February, young citizens have been boldly politically active. Teens are waiting eagerly for their right to vote their choice.

The young voters are politically motivated by gun control, considering kids and families all over the county have suffered directly from gun violence in schools. Survivors of the shooting turned activists and formed Never Again MSD, organizing marches, protests, and a gun control tour.

Tampa Bay Times says that the number of voters, between the ages of 18 to 29, increased by 41 percent after the Parkland shooting. They want more young students to learn to use their voting power, particularly in the midterm elections.

It was also decided that Palm Beach County schools will be closed on August 28th, the day of the primary election. There is a concern about the student safety from Susan Bucher, Supervisor of Elections. Security is compromised with so many people going in and out of the polls. Greater school security has been implemented Florida-wide; for example, state law now requires a security officer on campus and armed at all times.

If the voters who registered really turn out and vote, then many Palm Beach County students will head to school anyway, maybe to vote for the first time!