BHS students volunteer as election inspectors
By Jennifer Eisenbart
Editor
For those casting their votes at the polls in the city and town of Burlington Tuesday, youthful faces were highly visible.
Students from Burlington High School – most from teacher Josh Dow’s AP American Government and Politics class and others part of student government – worked as election inspectors at Cross Lutheran and United Methodist Churches, as well as the Town of Burlington’s two polling places.
A total of 16 students took part, with one arranging to work at the Spring Prairie polling place on her own.
“If you are a student, you can volunteer to be a student volunteer and election inspector,” explained Dow, who said the program was set up years ago through Bev Gill, the former city clerk who is now a member of the Wisconsin Elections Commission.
“We’ve had students work elections for a decade now,” Dow said. “This is the most students we’ve had.”
In fact, BHS had so many students volunteer that some had to be turned away, Dow said.
“We just didn’t have enough places for them,” he explained.
Senior Lauren Henning said she got involved because she wasn’t of age to vote but still wanted to be present.
“Since I can’t vote, this is kind of a way I can still participate,” she said. “I just thought it would be a really cool opportunity.”
Henning and two others were loading absentee ballots into the scanner at Cross Lutheran Church, while others were greeters there and at other voting places.
Dow said the opportunity gave the community a chance to see the efforts students give in the community.
“I think to see kids out there gives them a different look, in a positive way,” Dow said. “It’s nice to see them get credit for the positive things they do.”
City Clerk Diahnn Halbach was more than grateful for the help on a busy election day.
“These student volunteers have been a godsend,” she said. “It’s truly wonderful that they want to volunteer their time to give back to the community.”
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