When schools are closed on Election Day next Tuesday, November 4, nearly 84 high school students will get a lesson in democracy by serving as electoral pages and election officers in several polling places throughout Virginia Beach.

The students’ participation in the historical 2008 general and special elections is made possible by through Election Participation Program for High Schools, which was created to attract high school students with a strong aptitude for government, the program was established through a partnership between the Virginia Beach City Public Schools, the City of Virginia Beach Voter Registrar’s Office and the Virginia Beach Electoral Board.

The program required students to submit an application to their high school government teachers. After being selected, students were required to undergo training in order to serve as an election page or an election officer. The student roles are very different. Students who will work as an officer of election are 18-years-old, and are registered to vote. Among their duties are working the entire day from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.; checking names and identifications; operating voting machines; and declaring themselves as a representative of the Republican or Democratic party. They are also paid $115 for working on Election Day and $20 for attending a training course.

Election pages are not eligible to vote, and will participate in the program during only a portion of Election Day. During their work period, they will assist election officers by setting up the polling place, directing voters, assisting elderly and disabled voters, and distributing information.

Participating students will receive a certificate from the city’s Electoral Board. The hours the students worked on Election Day will be submitted to their schools.

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