LINCOLN- Senator Dungan of Lincoln claims that civic engagement amongst high school students would increase if there was a program that had them work at polling places. Under LB225 students ages 16 and older could also fulfill their civics graduation requirement by working a shift as a poll worker and then writing about it.

The senator said the bill would help address a shortage of poll workers and would foster civic engagement by students. One supporter, Heidi Uhing of Civic Nebraska, said the proposal was part of a national trend to “broaden student participation” in civic affairs. Another supporter cited a recent Tufts University report that found students are inspired to become more involved in civics activities when they see other youths in leadership roles.

Dungan said his proposal would leave it up to local school boards on how to select students for their civics subcommittee. Currently, students can satisfy their civics requirement in one of three days: take the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Test; attend a public meeting and write about it; do a project on a person or persons commemorated in a national holiday.

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