Democracy took center stage at dozens of suburban high schools this week as Cook County Clerk Monica Gordon kicked off the return of the award-winning High School Early Voting program, introducing the Clerk’s Office ‘Teen Takeover of Elections,’ and putting students at the heart of the voting process. Introduced by the Clerk’s Office earlier this year, the high school voting initiative transformed 27 suburban high schools into Early Voting locations where eligible students and school staff cast their ballots while trained and certified student Election Judges helped check in voters, issue ballots and carry out other election duties. The program launched during the March 2026 Primary Election, when 24 participating high schools recorded 1,136 ballots cast in a single day. The initiative also trained and certified more than 125 student Election Judges. The program has received national recognition, earning a 2026 U.S. Election Assistance Commission Clearinghouse Award as well as a NACo Innovation Award.  For more information about Early Voting and the November 3 General Election in suburban Cook County, visit cookcountyclerk.com/elections.

Photo Credit: Office of Cook County Clerk Monica Gordon