Stevenson High students march to cast first votes

A group of first-time teen voters and supporters marched from Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire to a nearby polling place Wednesday afternoon to promote early voting.

The school's Political Action Club organized the event, dubbed "Stroll to the Polls." Participants gathered in a school parking lot and then walked along Port Clinton Road to Peterson Park in Vernon Township, a short jaunt to the west.

Many of the participating students plan to work as election judges in Lake County on Nov. 6 and needed to vote early because they won't be in their home precincts on Election Day, teacher and club sponsor Andrew Coneen said.

"Voting is like most other behaviors - the earlier you start voting in life, the more likely you are to make civic participation a lifelong habit," Coneen said.

Early voting for the election began this week. Contests for Congress, the state legislature, governor and the Lake County Board are among those on the ballot.

Stevenson spokesman Jim Conrey said the school has a long history of teaching students "the connection between what they learn in class and the importance of being engaged citizens."

"This is another example of how our teachers bring civics alive for their students," Conrey said.