Students in the Kimberly School District are getting a unique opportunity thanks to a partnership with the district and several surrounding city clerks.
Clerks from the Village of Kimberly, Town of Buchanan, Village of Combined Locks and Town of Harrison are helping high school seniors register early to vote before they graduate.
"They're going to be citizens for the rest of their lives and it's a responsibility I hope they take forward and take out of high school with them," said Kimberly High School principal, Mike Rietveld.
The idea to get high schoolers registered to vote early is the brain child of Village of Kimberly deputy clerk, Vicki Tessen.
"I think everybody that can vote should have the opportunity to vote and if we can make it easier I'm hoping more of them will vote," said Tessen.
She says when long lines of people all register on election day things can get back logged.
"It helps to register early because it saves time at the polls, it saves money, the numbers are more accurate, and the information going into the computer isn't being rushed," said Tessen.
In order to register the student must be 18-years-old by the time of the August 9 fall primary election. They'll need to bring proof of residency which can be a driver's license, pay stub or bank statement.
"This is something new we're trying and I like the fact that we're bringing in our local clerks to help because it's a face that they'll see at some point in their lives," said Rietveld.
Tessen says she along with other clerks across the state will be holding a similar early voting registration session for the public on June 28.
