Secretary of State Alex Padilla Speaks in Pasadena to High School Seniors About the Importance of Voting

California Secretary of State Alex Padilla spoke to an audience of 100 John Muir High School Seniors Friday at the campus library to share insight about the importance of voting as many of the students near adulthood and are able to participate in November’s election.

The discussion was a part of Padilla’s mission to talk the importance of voter registration and the role young people can play in shaping the future through civic participation in conjunction with Voter Education Week.

The Secretary of State emphasized the role young people can play in shaping the future through civic participation in conjunction with Voter Education Week. “It’s day five of high school voter education week and I wanted to visit John Muir High School here in Pasadena to talk to the senior class especially about registering and voting as they’re turning eighteen,” Padilla said.

The special event aimed to bring the group of young adults together and have to opportunity to hear first hand about the importance of exercising their voice through voting from local area politician with several years of experience.

“There’s certainly a lot of excitement and tension with this November election that’s coming up, especially with the presidential, but as you look at the numbers throughout California there are millions and millions of eighteen to twenty four year olds that are eligible [to vote], but not registered,” explained Padilla.

Padilla was elected to the Los Angeles City Council in 1999 at the age of 26 to represent the same east San Fernando Valley community where he grew up. In 2001, his colleagues elected him to the first of three terms as Council President becoming the youngest member and the first Latino to serve in this capacity, according to his website.

Padilla previously served in the California State Senate from 2006 to 2014 and was was sworn in as California Secretary of State in January of last year. He shared his personal experiences about how he grew concerned as a young adult in the early ‘90s about direct negative affect certain bills posed to his working-class parents and his realization that his voice as a voter could make an impact.

“I’m here to share with you the fundamental power that you all will have when you turn eighteen if you register and if you vote,” said Padilla. Padilla’s team and John Muir High School staff set up a registration station for students who were eligible inside the school’s library. Various materials and resources were also made available.

“When they register, they don’t vote at high rates so we got to get the youth involved. I’m here to try to motivate and inspire. This high school is a great example of what every high school should be like,” said Padilla about the school’s efforts of studying ballots, hosting debates and participation in an upcoming mock election.

The discussion opened up to a Q&A for students to ask Padilla important questions ranging from how to get involved in politics to voting tips. “If we can build on this energy and enthusiasm, then I feel even better about the future,” said Padilla.