PR26-43
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 13, 2026
Contact: SOS Press Office

California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D., Partners with California Department of Education to Kick Off High School Voter Education Weeks 

Sacramento, Calif. – Today marks the start of California High School Voter Education Weeks (HSVEW), which runs through Friday, April 24, 2026. This biannual effort encourages high school students to actively engage in our democratic process through enriching educational opportunities. 

During HSVEW, high schools often partner with county election officials to help promote civic education and participation on campus and foster an environment that cultivates lifelong voters and civically engaged citizens. 

High School students can learn how to pre-register to vote, how to become a student election poll worker, and possibly organize voter registration drives on their campuses. Prospective and eligible students, ages 16 and 17, are encouraged to pre-register to vote, ensuring automatic registration upon turning 18. 

Since the inception of the California pre-registration program in September of 2016, more than 1.5 million students have pre-registered to vote. 

California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D., in partnership with California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond,  issued a letter encouraging all California high schools to participate in HSVEW. 

"High School Voter Education Weeks empowers our youth with the knowledge and tools necessary to engage in our electoral process," said California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D., "Our goal is to inspire a new generation to understand the power of their vote and the impact they have on shaping their futures and our communities."

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