Most can?t vote yet, but Carroll County high school students interested in the government now have a chance to get involved in the political process.
The county Democratic Central Committee voted unanimously last week to expand its membership to include a student from each of Carroll?s five high schools and one home-schooled student, the chairman of the committee said.
“What better way for students to learn than to bring them into the trenches?” said Martin Radinsky, committee chairman.
“If they have passion and believe in something and want to act on it, that?s what we?re looking for.”
The six students would have limited voting authority and join the 10 men and 10 women currently serving to “help get Democratic candidates elected,” he said.
The chairman of the county Republicans said his committee hadn?t thought of extending membership to students.
“I have never heard of anyone doing that before,” Republican chairman David Jones said.
He added that his committee does use teenage volunteers to pass out signs and make phone calls for candidates during campaign season.
No students have applied yet, as news releases about the positions were sent to schools this week, Radinsky said.
Interested students must submit a letter of recommendation, preferably from a teacher, to the committee office by June 15 to be considered for the one-year appointment.
“We won?t be looking at [the students?] parents? party affiliation,” he said.
“Because if they are independent thinkers, they might think differently than their parents.”
