As the 2020 Presidential Election has just passed, students all across Montgomery County are anxiously anticipating the results. The fear surrounding the election stems from both the extremely divided political climate and the fact that the actual results are still up in the air for days after Nov. 3. Student-led political organizations exist at high schools all around the County and have been taking action to prepare for election day.
MoCo for Change is a student-led organization run by Claire Gelieo, which often plans protests and initiatives where Montgomery county students can advocate for change. MoCo for Change was responsible for the March for our Lives protest against gun violence in 2018, but they have been able to make amazing socially distanced strides for change with recent projects.
Quince Orchard High School MoCo for Change Branch leaders Devon May, Soriah Baptiste and Josephine Bedore gave insight as to what these projects entail.
“MoCo to 100 is an initiative to get all eligible high school seniors registered to vote,” Baptiste said.
This project was introduced by the general MoCo for Change and was assimilated at different branches throughout the county. This resulted in over 200 students to register for the upcoming election.
“A lot of what we focus on is social justice and equality on the educational and student level,” Bedfore said. “[We need] better representation and leadership as a country.”
The Quince Orchard branch has also tried to help new voters along with the voting process, which is something we were never taught in schools.
“We made graphics to post on Instagram basically explaining how to register to vote and the different ways you can to inform people who had absolutely no idea,” May said.
Although MoCo for Change does not specifically tell students who they should be voting for, they provide information on their endorsements and easier access for voters belonging to all parties.
The organization as a whole endorses specific candidates and parties which aligns with the majority of the school branches. With this, the ideals and policy changes the organization advocates for are widely known to be on the more progressive side.
“[The central] MoCo for Change has its own orange ballot, and they support Joe Biden and other Democratic candidates. Quince Orchard for change follows suit, along with the other school branches of the organization.
Branches of MoCo for Change also went to voting booths on Nov. 3 to urge people to vote in accordance with the “orange ticket.”
According to May, it was vital that everyone eligible was able to have their voices heard and vote.
“I hope that at the end of this, we will all realize we need to get up and make the change we want to see,” May said.
Article by Delaney Crawley of Richard Montgomery High School
Graphic by Angelina Guhl of Richard Montgomery High School