Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate presented the Carrie Chapman Catt Award to Pella Christian High School Tuesday. Pate says the award goes to any school that registers at least 90% of eligible students to vote. Pella Christian registered 95% of those individuals during the 2019-20 school year. Iowa law allows 17-year-olds to register to vote, so they could participate in the June primary election if they turn 18 on or before the November general election.

“September is National Voter Registration Month and it’s a great time to celebrate the remarkable achievements of these two schools,” Secretary Pate said. “It shows a lot of dedication by the students, their teachers and school leadership. I encourage all Iowa high schools to take an active role in helping their students register to vote.”

Pella Christian High School Principal Greg Wojczynski says they partnered with the Iowa Secretary of State’s office to participate in the program and to reinforce the importance of participating in government and elections.

A total of 18 Iowa schools registered at least 90% of eligible students to vote during the past school year. The Carrie Chapman Catt Award is named after the famous Iowan who was instrumental in securing passage of the 19th Amendment, granting women access to the ballot box 100 years ago. Hear more from Secretary Pate about the upcoming election on today’s Let’s Talk Pella.