Severson's Seniors Want You to Vote

The senior class of Alexander, ND, led by Amber Severson, Alexander Public School social sciences teacher, want their classmates and community to understand not only how important voting is, but every factor in the process. Working in 5 separate teams, they put together slideshows to show their classmates, which varied depending on grade level, as well as arranged for the Alexander school bus to take them and any interested community members to the Cartwright, ND, voting station this coming Nov. 5.

Team Who, consisting of William Richards, Jordan Hernandez, and Paiten Iverson, covered all the candidates on the ballot for this November’s federal, state, county, and local elections, for both Montana and North Dakota.

Team Why, with Paige Delaney, Ellie Johnson, and Julia Bonsteel working together, shared why voting is so important and how one vote really does make a difference. They found that from 1976 to Jan. 5, 2021, more than 85 senate elections were decided by less than 3% of all votes cast. Local elections matter most, carrying their impact down the line to the state and federal level.

Team When, made up of Shane Cross, McKenzie Suko, and Chanel Chavez, explained how often we are given the opportunity to vote. General elections are held every two years, and presidential elections are held every four years. Primaries are held in June, and the presidential the first Tuesday in November; this year on the 5th.

Team Where, comprised of Brooke Rykhus, Alexys Pownall, Olivia Vagle, and Jadyn Henglefelt, found and listed all the locations in McKenzie, Williams, and Richland County where your vote can be taken and counted in elections.

Team How, included Sean Alfaro, Mya Torres, and Kaylee Waltke researched how to go about voting once at a polling place. In North Dakota, you do not need to register to vote but will need a valid ID such as your driver’s license. In Montana, you are required to register in order to vote. If you are not able to vote at a polling place on election day, you have the option to use an absentee ballot. Some states require a reason to use an absentee ballot, such as travel, disability or illness, work, deployment, or religion.

While the goal of the class’s Public Service Announcement was to educate their peers and community, they also found it informative for themselves, as some are now old enough to carry the responsibility of voting and soon will be moving onto their adult lives after graduation. They will be holding their own mock election and have enjoyed the spirited debates and sharing of opinions and perspectives on different aspects of voting and the upcoming elections. They are excited to take part in this election, and hope every eligible citizen is, and does, as well.