California Superintendent Jack O'Connell has launched a statewide program designed to get high school students involved in presidential politics. KPBS reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.
Hillary Clinton, Rudy Giuliani, and Barack Obama. You might recognize those names, but hundreds of high schoolers don't.
My Vote California is the first statewide high school program developed to draw attention to a presidential primary election. Over the next four months, teachers will use a special curriculum that focuses on the process, the candidates, and the issues.
O'Connell says the program was developed because fewer young adults are turning up at the polls.
O'Connell : For example in 1972, the state of California was fourth for young adults voting, ages 18 to 24. Just three years ago, the last presidential elections, we dropped from fourth all the way down to 22nd.
O'Connell says high school students will also participate in a statewide mock election a day before the presidential primary.
Ana Tintocalis, KPBS News.
