Dear County and District Superintendents, Charter School Administrators, and High School Principals:

High School Voter Education Weeks (September 15–26, 2025)

As educators, you play a vital role in encouraging students to participate in our democracy. Early civic engagement practices lead to lifelong civic involvement and strengthen our democracy. We invite your district and school sites to take part in High School Voter Education Weeks, September 15–26, 2025.

This initiative is designed to:

• Raise civic awareness among high school students, and
• Encourage eligible students aged 16 or 17 to preregister to vote, ensuring they are automatically registered when they turn 18.

Since California launched its preregistration program in September 2016, nearly 1.4 million students have preregistered to vote, which has resulted in more than 1.1 million eligible voters.

Under the California Motor Voter program, eligible 16- and 17-year-olds can preregister to vote during a driver’s license or state identification transaction at the California Department of Motor Vehicles. If a student indicates eligibility and does not opt out, their voter information is securely and electronically transmitted to the California Secretary of State.

The Secretary of State’s Office and county elections officials are available to support your efforts and partner with schools in promoting civic engagement.

Online Resources and Opportunities

• Youth Programs: Visit the Secretary of State High School and Youth Initiatives web page at https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/high-school-programs for toolkits, resources, and program information.
• Poll Workers: Students can serve as poll workers during elections. Under Senate Bill 955 (see the California Legislative Information web page at https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220SB955), students in grades 6–12 may receive one excused absence per year to participate in a civic or political event with prior notice. Learn more on the Secretary of State High School and Youth Initiatives web page at https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/high-school-programs#pollworker.
• Voter Registration: Encourage eligible students to register or preregister on the Secretary of State California Online Voter Registration website at https://registertovote.ca.gov. Schools and districts are encouraged to share this link with families and post it on their websites.
• State Seal of Civic Engagement (SSCE): The SSCE recognizes eligible high school students who demonstrate excellence in civics education and participation. High School Voter Education Weeks provide an ideal opportunity for students to engage in meaningful civic learning and activities that may count toward earning the SSCE. For more information, visit the SSCE web page at https://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/pl/hssstateseal.asp.
• California History–Social Science Framework. Civic engagement is part of the History–Social Science Framework. Curriculum frameworks provide guidance for implementing the standards adopted by the State Board of Education. More information is available on the CDE All Curriculum Frameworks web page at https://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/cr/cf/allfwks.asp. The framework is available on the CDE History–Social Science Framework web page at https://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/hs/cf/hssframework.asp.

Civic engagement starts with education. By working together, we can help prepare California’s students to become informed and active participants in our democracy.

For questions about High School Voter Education Weeks or other civic engagement opportunities, please contact the Secretary of State’s Outreach and Education team at SOSOutreach@sos.ca.gov or 916-584-3538 or the CDE’s High School Innovations and Initiatives Office at HSIIO@cde.ca.gov or 916-319-0893.

Sincerely,

Tony Thurmond
State Superintendent of Public Instruction

Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D.
California Secretary of State