On Tuesday, Oct. 29, Greater Cleveland Congregations partnered with Cleveland Metro Schools Civics 2.0 program to bring newly registered 18-year-old students to the polls.
About 200 students from high schools across the district showed up on Tuesday and joyfully voted for the first-time. The celebration of voting and young people included speeches, a performance by the Glenville cheer squad, marching to the polls, ringing and clapping in new voters, and an after-party with food (including Ballot Bliss punch and cupcakes), a photo booth, a DJ, and line dancing.
“I kind of grew up with the idea of me being an African American person and me being queer, there was kind of no way around it,” Cleveland School of Digital Arts senior Jr Billups told Signal Cleveland.
“Definitely try to get your voice out there, especially for your communities, and speaking out for other communities is the best that you can do,” he added. “If you want change, you got to make it.”
Check out the photos and links to media stories below. Learn more about Civics 2.0 here. A great time was had by all!
Youtube videos:
Greater Cleveland Congregations – YouTube
Media links:
CMSD first-time voters cast their 2024 election ballots (signalcleveland.org)
More than 150 Cleveland schools students vote for first time | wkyc.com
PHOTOSTREAM: Rollin’ & Steppin’ to the Polls by Anastasia Pantsios | CoolCleveland
First-time voters march to polls in northeast Ohio (spectrumlocalnews.com)
Hear from Cuyahoga County residents as they vote early – The Land (thelandcle.org)
