MVCDS Headlines
Jack Gensler utilizes Eagle Scout Project to urge youth to work upcoming election
About 65 percent of Ohio's poll workers are over the age of 61 and at risk of contracting COVID-19. There is a concern that many will choose not to work in the November election because of the pandemic.
Jack Gensler '22 was reading a news article when he learned of the need for election precinct workers.
So Gensler brought the idea to his Global Leadership Program and later decided it would be a great idea for his Eagle Scout project.
"I thought it would be a good idea to make sure the polling locations don't have to close," Gensler said.
About 65 percent of Ohio's poll workers are over the age of 61 and at risk of contracting COVID-19. There is a concern that many will choose not to work in the November election because of the pandemic.
With the help of about 10 fellow Upper School students, Gensler got to work on The Safe Suffrage Campaign.
The endeavor aims to recruit registered voters who are 17-years-old, in high school, and live in Lucas County for paid positions during General Election in November.
"It's our job as young, healthy people to rise to the occasion and to help make sure everyone has safe access to voting," Gensler said. "Not only will this help bring more youth into this election, but we are also hoping that this will help pull more youth in for future elections to come."
The website was coded and created by fellow MV student Eddie Rodriguez '23.
Those who want to sign up can do so at safesuffrage2020.com. Others who aren't old enough also can find ways to volunteer, Gensler said.
He hopes civic groups such as the Young Democrats and Young Republicans and others in Lucas County will help generate more interest by young people to get involved.
The need is immense -- take a look at the primary in Milwaukee, Wisc., Gensler said. Usually, the city would have 180 voting locations open, but only five precincts open with the worker shortage.
"They can't risk working at these polls and being exposed to people all day long," Gensler said of older election workers during COVID-19. "Right here is a golden opportunity for the younger generation to really impact everyone for the better.
"That's really the main goal of this campaign -- eliminate those long lines and keep the risk of spreading COVID-19 as minimal as possible in Lucas County and Northwest Ohio."
Hear more from Jack in his video interview here.
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So Gensler brought the idea to his Global Leadership Program and later decided it would be a great idea for his Eagle Scout project.
"I thought it would be a good idea to make sure the polling locations don't have to close," Gensler said.
About 65 percent of Ohio's poll workers are over the age of 61 and at risk of contracting COVID-19. There is a concern that many will choose not to work in the November election because of the pandemic.
With the help of about 10 fellow Upper School students, Gensler got to work on The Safe Suffrage Campaign.
The endeavor aims to recruit registered voters who are 17-years-old, in high school, and live in Lucas County for paid positions during General Election in November.
"It's our job as young, healthy people to rise to the occasion and to help make sure everyone has safe access to voting," Gensler said. "Not only will this help bring more youth into this election, but we are also hoping that this will help pull more youth in for future elections to come."
The website was coded and created by fellow MV student Eddie Rodriguez '23.
Those who want to sign up can do so at safesuffrage2020.com. Others who aren't old enough also can find ways to volunteer, Gensler said.
He hopes civic groups such as the Young Democrats and Young Republicans and others in Lucas County will help generate more interest by young people to get involved.
The need is immense -- take a look at the primary in Milwaukee, Wisc., Gensler said. Usually, the city would have 180 voting locations open, but only five precincts open with the worker shortage.
"They can't risk working at these polls and being exposed to people all day long," Gensler said of older election workers during COVID-19. "Right here is a golden opportunity for the younger generation to really impact everyone for the better.
"That's really the main goal of this campaign -- eliminate those long lines and keep the risk of spreading COVID-19 as minimal as possible in Lucas County and Northwest Ohio."
Hear more from Jack in his video interview here.
Maumee Valley Country Day School is the only PreK-12th grade accredited, co-educational, and independent school in Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan.
