Department of Elections
City and County of San Francisco
John Arntz, Director
For Immediate Release
SAN FRANCISCO, Wednesday, October 9, 2024 – The Department of Elections announces the successful completion of its Fall 2024 High School Student Ambassador Program, culminating in a special ceremony honoring the achievements and civic contributions of 50 student ambassadors from various schools across the city. The event, held at City Hall, celebrated the dedication of these students to promoting voter awareness and engagement among their peers.
The High School Student Ambassador Program, organized by the Department of Elections every spring and fall, encourages youth to participate in the electoral process by educating their fellow students about the importance of voting. Through outreach efforts, informational sessions, and peer engagement, the ambassadors foster a culture of civic responsibility and participation within their school communities.
“The enthusiasm and energy these students bring to civic engagement is inspiring,” said Director John Arntz. “They have taken on the responsibility of educating their peers about the importance of voting and have assisted their classmates pre-register or register to vote. Through their efforts, these students have already made a lasting impact on their schools and communities.”
The ceremony recognized the ambassadors’ efforts in educating their peers on voter registration, encouraging participation in elections, and providing essential information about voting rights. In addition to celebrating the students' achievements, the Department acknowledged the vital support of families, teachers, and mentors who have guided and encouraged the students in their civic endeavors.
Student ambassadors shared the following reflections:
- “I helped teens pre-register to vote. It was inspiring to see my peers recognize the importance of their vote, even before they could cast it. This experience has been a meaningful opportunity for young people by encouraging them to be more aware of their rights and privileges.”
- “The elections ambassadors program left me with a fulfilling feeling of doing good. I am beyond appreciative of this opportunity for bringing me such a memorable learning experience.”
- “As an election ambassador, I got to be civically engaged with my community during a big election season. I got to help people play a crucial role in our democracy and I spoke to many people about their thoughts and experiences on voting!”
- “Being a High School Elections Ambassador has taught me a lot about leadership, collaboration, and civic engagement. More importantly, it’s shown me just how powerful it can be to get young people involved in the political process early on.”
- “During my time as an SF Elections Ambassador, I not only felt a sense of pride and accomplishment in my work to educate and assist others, but I also received a newfound appreciation for America’s democracy.”
The Department of Elections actively implements programs aimed at engaging youth in the electoral process. Through initiatives like the High School Student Ambassador Program, the Department not only educates young people about their voting rights and responsibilities but also empowers them to raise awareness of civic engagement within their communities.
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Department of Elections
City and County of San Francisco
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
City Hall, Room 48
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 554-4375
sfelections.gov