Hutchison Senior Organizes Voter Registration Drive to Encourage Civic Engagement

Millie realized the first step in ensuring people can vote is making sure they are registered. For Hutchison girls who turn 18 before November 5, she made things a little easier by bringing that opportunity to campus. To help fund the voter registration drive, she received a National Voter Registration Day event mini-grant of $250 from the Tennessee Nonprofit Network. Uncle Sam (actually, Mr. Simpson in an Uncle Sam costume) even came to help!

“Everyone has issues they care about. The easiest and most attainable way to make a difference is to vote, particularly in local elections,” Millie said.  “Voting can be nerve-racking for some people, but I think that stems from feeling that their voices may not be heard. Even if the person you voted for doesn’t get elected, you still went out and put your voice out there.”

Millie was one of the students who registered to vote at the event and recalled several inspirations behind her enthusiasm. She remembered former history faculty member Clay Francis coming up on stage at convocation encouraging seniors to register to vote, which made her realize how much her teachers care. “I have strong memories of my parents coming home with ‘I Voted’ stickers. Even when I was little, I recall looking at all the signs and knowing something was happening and it was a big deal.”

Younger students stopped by the voter registration drive to see what was going on, and although most Hutchison girls can’t vote yet, Millie helped them get a glimpse into registering to vote when it’s their turn. “I wanted girls to see what this is like and not be scared when they have to register to vote in the future, even if that’s for an election next fall or two, even three years into the future,” she said. Several girls also took the opportunity to ask the League of Women Voters representative their questions about voting.

As Millie explores civic engagement and encourages our girls to use their voices, she has interviewed local government officials and is producing a short documentary film. “They told me to remember to vote. They said as teenagers and young adults, this is still somewhere we have ties. This is still our home for now. We should vote and continue to be a part of our community in that way,” she said. “People may worry that they don’t know any of the candidates. Research, look up your candidates, get reliable information, and from there, it is based on whatever you think.”