Three Mercy High School students who are not yet old enough to vote took an active role in the democratic process during Tuesday’s midterm elections by serving as election judges. Seniors Tess Brandenburg and Maria Chalkia and junior Khloe Stevenson joined election officials and community volunteers at polling locations, helping to ensure Election Day ran smoothly and that voters had a positive experience at the polls. Their responsibilities included assisting with operations, welcoming voters, and supporting the administration of the election in accordance with the State of Maryland’s procedures. Tess and Maria served at Leith Walk Elementary/Middle School in Ramblewood and Khloe was stationed at St. Leo the Great Roman Catholic Church in Little Italy.
Prior to serving at polling places on Tuesday, Tess, Maria, and Khloe all noted how excited they were to learn more about election day processes and procedures. After checking in voters on Tuesday, Tess noted, “I think as a young woman, it is so important to understand how our government works. Even though I am not old enough to vote, I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn. Before serving as an election judge, I thought that people running an election all had to be government officials. Having a chance to be part of the process before I’m eligible to vote was great.”
An aspiring attorney, Maria is also a member of Mercy High School’s Law and Social Action Program which provides students with opportunities to evaluate how interdependence, as well as political, legal, social, and economic change, affect all communities. While reflecting on her experiences, Maria said, “Serving on Election Day honestly made me feel very excited to vote in the future. Everyone was so proud to cast a ballot. They considered it their duty, and did not want to leave without their ‘I VOTED’ sticker. Many voters expressed that they were happy to see young people working the polling station, and I was proud to assist, even if I can’t vote yet.”
At St. Leo the Great, Khloe worked alongside another election judge to assist with provisional ballots. After a provisional ballot has been filled out, election judges are not permitted to touch them, and must guide the voter through how to properly fold and seal their ballot before it is placed in a secure bag. “Honestly, it was a little bit harder than what I thought because there’s a lot of different things you’ve got to remember and make sure of the integrity of it,” said Khloe. She also spoke about being grateful to learn about how the voting process works in her community, which has given her more confidence in the process. “My vote will actually matter,” she said.
In the spirit of innovation for which the Sisters of Mercy are known, learning extends far beyond the classroom at Mercy High School. “Having these girls serve as election judges is a wonderful example of how Mercy Girls and alumnae are stepping forward to make a difference in their communities,” said Mercy’s President Mary Beth Lennon, an alumna of the Class of 1985. “Election participation goes beyond casting a ballot. By volunteering their time and taking part in the election process, Tess, Maria, and Khloe gained firsthand experience into how our democracy works, as well as the importance of civic engagement. Their involvement sends an important message: you don’t have to wait until you’re older to make a meaningful impact.”
About Mercy High School
Sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, Mercy High School is a private, Catholic, college preparatory school for girls in grades 9-12. An International Baccalaureate World School, Mercy provides its students with rigorous academics, enabling them to form habits of lifelong inquiry, critical thinking, and courageous action in a global society. This coming year, 445 girls are traveling from 70 zip codes throughout Central Maryland and Southern Pennsylvania to take advantage of an excellent Mercy education. Founded in 1960, Mercy has more than 8,000 alumnae who are leaders in Maryland and beyond.
