Ballard, McCracken, Hardin, and Barren counties high school students hosted drives as part of the "Co-ops Vote" program on National Voter Registration Day.
Kentucky Electric Cooperatives partnered with high school students Hayes Gibson at Ballard Memorial, Cameron McDowell at McCracken County, Sophia Stover at Central Hardin, and Katelyn Huffaker at Barren County.
The four participated in the annual Youth Tour in Washington, D.C., with Kentucky Electric Cooperatives this past summer. That experience provided them opportunities to meet with Kentucky's top political leaders. In turn, they came home equipped to educate their friends, family and classmates about the importance of voting and raising voter turnout.
In 2022, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and Co-ops Vote registered more than 400,000 voters. Kentucky's electric cooperatives collaborated with these national organizations to increase voter registration, both at home and across America. With help from these four students and others, KEC and Co-ops Vote could continue their work to register thousands of new voters and inspire others to care about elections.
"The Kentucky co-ops have always been about supporting the communities they serve," said Joe Arnold, Vice President of Strategic Communications. "That's why we are proud to stand beside these students who have taken an interest in government and politics and brought a new form of energy to their communities."
Anyone who is not registered to vote has until October 10, 2023, to register and become eligible to vote in the general election on November 7, 2023. Stop by your local county clerk's office to register.
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Ballard Memorial High School student Hayes Gibson (right) is interviewed by a reporter concerning the "Co-ops Vote" campaign to encourage anyone eligible to vote to embrace the message of National Voter Registration Day, by registering at their local courthouses.
(photo courtesy of Kentucky Electric Cooperatives)
