Elections are coming up in May and November, and many seniors on campus are eligible to vote in this upcoming election cycle. To help get Frisco ISD students registered to vote, Centennial High School’s National Honor Society is hosting “FISD Votes,” a district-wide voter registration drive, on Thursday at Centennial High School from 5-7 p.m.

The drive will take place from 5 to 7 PM at Centennial’s west entrance, outside the auditorium. Students who are eligible to register are those who are 18 years old or at least 17 and 10 months of age. Those who register will also receive pamphlets containing detailed non-partisan information about voting and elections in Collin County.

Many students and teachers agree that voting is an integral part of the democratic system in America. AP Government teacher Amanda Peters believes that voting is especially important for teenagers and young adults.

“Voting may be many seniors’ first opportunity to participate in our Representative Democracy, and by voting, they are creating a tradition of political participation that they will hopefully continue,” Peters said. “Additionally, they are flexing their political power, ensuring that political leaders pay attention to their needs when crafting future legislation.” 

While many seniors are busy preparing for the end of their high school career, StuCo President Alyssa Murphy says voting is vital. 

“In light of everything that has happened over the past three years, my eyes have really been opened to how important it is to have an active role in voting,” she said. “I’ve really been introduced to a lot of new political and social ideas, and now that I’m old enough, I thought it was important that I register early.  That way I can take an active role in the important decisions taking place in our nation and state.”

Centennial NHS Service Chair, senior Prisha Mehta believes that students should seize this opportunity to get registered and be ready to vote in the upcoming elections.

“Young Americans make up about half of our voting age population,” Mehta said. “With such a large share of the vote in our hands, it is crucial that we get registered and show up at the polls.”