Student-Run High School Voting Sites Surpass Weeklong Early Voting Total in One Day (Cook County, IL) – High school students in suburban Cook County made voting history this week, casting more ballots in a single day at student-run polling places than were recorded during the first week of traditional early voting across the county.
Twenty-four suburban high schools participating in the Cook County Clerk’s new “Defenders of DA’mocracy” High School Early Voting Program recorded 1,136 ballots cast in one day. By comparison, 1,021 ballots were cast during the first seven days of early voting at the county’s initial six locations.
On Feb. 26, student voters alone surpassed the weeklong total from those early voting sites — a milestone county officials say highlights the program’s immediate impact.
“We are absolutely thrilled with the student voter turnout for this first-of-its-kind program,” Clerk Monica Gordon said in a statement. “The participating schools were filled with energy and enthusiasm, and we have now established a voting model for students that will continue to grow and thrive in future elections.”
The initiative, developed in partnership with the Chicago Bears, established fully operational early voting sites inside participating high schools. More than 125 trained and certified student election judges staffed the locations under the supervision of the Clerk’s Office elections team.
Students were responsible for administering voter check-in, securing ballots, operating voting equipment and following the same chain-of-custody and security protocols used at every suburban Cook County polling site.
County officials believe the program may be the first of its kind nationally, transforming classroom civic education into hands-on election administration.
Gordon said the turnout could have long-term implications for civic engagement.
“Research consistently shows that when individuals participate in their first eligible election, they are far more likely to remain engaged voters for life,” she said.
Launched earlier this year, the program blends civic engagement, youth leadership and practical experience in election operations. Through the public-private partnership, the Chicago Bears supported outreach efforts, provided Bears-branded materials for student judges and helped promote youth civic participation.
Expanded early voting continues across suburban Cook County, with 55 locations scheduled to open March 2 ahead of the March 17 gubernatorial primary election.
Information about early voting locations and hours is available at cookcountyclerk.com.
Student-Run High School Voting Sites Surpass Weeklong Early Voting Total in One Day
