By Stephen Smoot
Eleven times between the end of World War II and the middle of the Vietnam War, United States Senator Jennings Randolph brought forth the bill that would start the process of a Constitutional amendment. With the slogan “if you’re old enough for bullets, you’re old enough for ballots,” Randolph pushed hard lowering the voting age to 18.
And now East Hardy High School has taken its place in fulfilling Senator Randolph’s vision.
“Jennings Randolph fought for 29 years to give 18 year olds the right to vote,” said West Virginia Secretary of State Kris Warner.
The Secretary of State’s office “in honor of Senator Randolph’s determination to get young people involved in the voting process has created the Jennings Randolph Award. This award is given to high schools that have at least 85 percent of eligible students registered to vote.”
The award has two tiers. A gold tier award goes to a school that registered 100 percent of 17 and 18 year olds eligible to vote in the next election relative to their registration date. East Hardy earned a silver tier, recognizing the still impressive registration of 85 percent of those eligible.
“We send the two seniors who are most active in registering voters to Charleston as “Honorary Secretaries of State, shared Secretary Warner. From East Hardy, Silas Schetrom and Albert Lermineaux received special recognition at the State Capitol for their hard work and successful effort.
He stated that 21 high schools have earned Jennings Randolph Awards. Also, “17, 000 17, 18, and 19 year olds we now have registered to vote.” stated Secretary Warner. Because county clerks oversee the local government election office, they are “always involved” in helping students get involved in registering voters.
Warner comes to each school to deliver the awards and congratulate those involved. While there, he speaks of the importance of clear and fair elections, but also answers questions. He stated that though he has never served as a teacher, he now understands the sense of accomplishment one feels “when you see the light switch on” and a young person understands.
The Secretary of State had an eventful week. On the way to delivering a similar award, then next honoring centurion businesses, Secretary Warner had a car accident near Judy Gap in Pendleton County. Emergency services responded quickly, but Warner did not require medical treatment before traveling on to Franklin.
