Northwest Indiana young students keep polling places up to date

The 18-year-old is among many high school students across Lake and Porter counties who have excused absences from their usual studies to enter the classroom of democracy.

"I love having the kids," Michelle Fajman, Lake County elections director, said.

"It's about giving them a great experience and civics lesson. I hope it becomes a lifelong commitment for these students to vote or work the polls for the rest of their life."

The state's Election Day LIVE poll worker recruitment program is designed to allow 16- and 17-year-old students the opportunity to experience "democracy in action," according to the Indiana Election Division of the Secretary of State's office.

Valerie Warycha, deputy communications director for the state secretary, said participation is appreciated statewide.

"A lot of counties have trouble finding poll workers and enjoy having high school students who want to participate, especially this year where there is a lot of excitement," she said.

Warycha said students who will be 18 years old by Nov. 8 can vote in both today's primary and the fall general election.

Fajman said at least 100 of the 2,575 poll workers working in Lake County today are teens doing work adults decline. Students in Lake County are paid $120, and "it looks great on their college application, too," Fajman said.

Students must be U.S. residents and residents of the county where they work, have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. They also must have written permission from a parent or guardian as well as their school principal or the individual responsible for their education if they are home-schooled.

Chesterton High School government teacher Bryan Nallenweg said he was contacted by the county voter registration office and received a lot of interest from students when he pitched the idea of working the polls on election day

"I think it's a wonderful opportunity for them to have," he said.

"It's a great way for them to become involved politically. It's a great time to teach government," he said.

Andrew Dunn, an 18-year-old Lake Central High senior, will be working his third election, and Abby Van Prooyen, 17, a Crown Point High senior, is on her fourth at St. Peter and Paul Macedonian Center, where five Crown Point precincts vote.

Dunn said, "It's a long day, but I enjoy it. The previous two I worked weren't presidential elections so there would be hours when we wouldn't see anyone come in. I'm assuming with the presidential (primary), voting will be much more active."

Van Prooyen said, "I like the calmness. I actually get a lot of homework and reading done. We have some nice college talks with some of the older people in my group. They share their wisdom. It's always fun to help people out when it gets bustling in the morning, at lunch and when people get off work."

Van Prooyen said she has enjoyed working as a clerk. People come up, I ask them to remove their license and then I scan it and their information comes up in the system." She then prints out a receipt with a "D" or "R," which is handed to the judge.

Dunn, who has served as judge, said he asks the voter to confirm their party affiliation, walks them to the machine and explains its buttons and steps aside.

Fajman said she finds the teens attentive during training and adept at using the electronic poll books and voting machines.

"When we see a polling place isn't online, we have our high school workers walk the others through the process," she said.

"It's exciting this year to see some kids ask to work for the party of Bernie Sanders or Donald Trump. They've watched the debates and want to get involved."

However, she said most of her high school recruits don't have a political affiliation. Van Prooyen said, "When I tell people I work the polls, they say, oh you're in politics, but I say not really. I keep my opinion to myself."

Dunn agrees: "Whether you serve as a Democrat or Republican doesn't make any difference."