Election 2024: McHenry High seniors register to vote, weigh big decision ahead

Seniors at McHenry High School who are old enough participated in National Voter Registration Day Tuesday so they can cast ballots in their first presidential election this fall.

Stacy Rockweiler, an English teacher at the high school who also is a deputy registrar, was registering the students to vote on what she said couldn’t be a better day.

Not a lot of seniors are 18 yet. Some won’t be old enough to vote at all this year, setting their slightly older peers apart in having a say in a high-stakes and momentous election that has deeply divided the country.

Rockweiler said voter registration is something that’s ongoing, and some students come to her on their 18th birthday to register to vote. She’s even registered students to vote during passing periods. On Tuesday, students who will turn 18 by Nov. 5 gathered for a special election sign-up at Upper Campus, where Rockweiler had them raise their right hand for the voter affirmations.

Then they got a sticker and – naturally – had the opportunity to pose with props and signs.

“It’s really fun to do it in-person,” Rockweiler said. However, she also had a flier with QR codes that linked to other ways to sign up to vote. Residents with a driver’s license or state ID can register to vote online in Illinois at ova.elections.il.gov/. Voters can also register when they head to the polls to cast their ballot.

“There’s many ways to register to vote,” Rockweiler said. She noted there’s a lot of misinformation out there, and she and her colleagues try to emphasize doing credible research. “There’s a lot out there with social media,” Rockweiler said.

Some of the students who signed up to vote Tuesday mentioned the economy and rights as issues they’re thinking about as they prepare to cast their first ballots. Rockweiler said student loans have been a big topic too, and an “overall feeling about wanting to have” a better future.

Here’s what a few of the students had to say about the election after joining the voter rolls Tuesday:

• Lachlan Gardon, 18 said, “I just want a good economy,” mentioning college and buying a house in the future. Gardon said he is researching both former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.
• Emma Blanken, 18, said climate change and women’s rights are issues important to her this election. She said she watched last week’s debate between Trump and Harris, saying it was “interesting.”
• Kyle Rychlik, 18, said he wants “to live in a good economy when I’m older” and will probably vote for the candidate who is best for the economy. He also noted “most people in my grade can’t vote this year.”
• Milo Lischewski, 17, said the election is “more serious now” that he can vote and that it’s “very divisive.”
• Jacqueline Huff, 17, said she’s “excited” to vote, calling it “such a big step in adulting.” Huff said she wants to research the candidates.