Teach the young to vote

Staff writer

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link Derek Major: Staff photo

Teacher Dennis Kerg working with his fourth period class Tuesday at Portales High School.

A bill in the Legislature that would allow students to vote in school elections has educators and students in Portales talking.

Some believe the bill could improve relationships between students and educators.

“Students would have more input into the curriculum, what they learn and how they learn it, so it could definitely be a good thing,” said Portales High school teacher Dennis Kerg.

Rep. Javier Martinez, D-Albuquerque, introduced the bill late last month. Should it become law, the bill would allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in school board elections throughout the state.

“Turnout for school board elections is usually tremendously low. In 2011, the Albuquerque Public school board election had a turnout of about three percent,” Martinez, 33, said in a statement released when he introduced the bill.

Some Portales students said they would be happy to vote in school board elections.

“I think its a good idea because ultimately it is us who deal with teachers, administrators and the school board,” said Junior Bronte Staugaard. “I think if we got to make some choices in what happens it would be a good for us.”

Junior Ryan Privett shared Staugaard’s feelings.

“I would vote,” said Privett. “Because I think as a student it is important for me to get involved in my education and if I have that opportunity I’m going to take it.”

Martinez said some cities and states allow anyone younger than 18 to vote in primaries or even city elections. New Mexico House Republicans, however, say since said those places have less restrictive state constitutions or they had amended their constitution.

Kerg said there are other elements to consider.

“Some students might try to take advantage of that (voting) power,” Kerg said. “So there’s two sides to everything.”

“If a teacher or administrator approached me about voting for them I would think about the information they would give me and try to vote the best solution,” said Junior Janay Summers. “But I would feel like there would be added pressure to vote.”

The bill introduced by Martinez is similar to a bill Rep. Jeff Steinborn, D-Las Cruces, sponsored two years ago to allow 17-year-olds to vote in primary elections if they would turn 18 before the general election. Steinborn’s bill passed the House of Representatives 44-24 when Democrats were in control, but died in the state Senate.