The Paw Print

By Saron Alem, News & Features Editor 

The Election Board has created a system for youth to engage in the 2024 Presidential Election. As High School Election Judges, juniors and seniors in high school can earn up to $230 by serving on Election Day and attending a mandatory training session. I interviewed Junior Thaíla Vera-Hunt, one of roughly 1000 Cook County students serving as a judge on Nov. 5, 2024, about the election judge process. 

Paw Print: Tell me about the application process. Was it simple, difficult, tedious?

Vera-Hunt: It was very simple. I went to the election judge website and made an account with my email, putting in all my information and applying as a high school election judge. I received the confirmation email shortly after, waited a day to choose my training date, and received my location. Overall the process was simple. 

Paw Print: What are you most excited for?

Vera-Hunt: I’m most excited to participate in the election. As a sixteen year old African-American girl, I don’t have [much involvement] in politics since I can’t vote, but I believe this is a great opportunity for teenagers to get involved in politics. I’ve also previously never been interested much in social studies, history or politics, but I’m using this as a way to test out the election and see if I’m interested in stuff related to government for the future.

Paw Print: What are you nervous about?

Vera-Hunt: I’m nervous about being one of the only teenagers at the site I’ve been placed at, and about working around adults because I know there are sometimes differences in opinion. 

Paw Print: What are the qualifications for being a High School Election Judge?

Vera-Hunt: I believe you have to be a high school junior or senior with a 3.0 GPA, and live in [Cook County] and be a US Citizen. 

Paw Print: Do you feel prepared for Election day?

Vera-Hunt: I think I am! I’m just not prepared to wake up so early [at 4:30 A.M.].

Paw Print: Is your assigned place far from your ward?

Vera-Hunt: No, it’s probably a couple blocks away from my house, and it’s very convenient for me.

Paw Print: Is the party you were assigned to analogous with your beliefs, and if not, how do you feel about that difference?

Vera-Hunt: The party that I closely align with is different from the one I’ve been assigned to, but I’m not one to take it too seriously. Even if you don’t agree with one side, you can still learn and figure out which specific values align with your own, even if they come from two different parties. It’s good to hear what the other side has to say and work with them to get their understanding of what democracy means to them. I’m eager to see what my assigned party does and believes in.