Primary Simulation Gives Cass Tech Students Glimpse of Voting Process

Only about 20 percent of voters age 18-24 years old go to the polls. This CitizenDetroit effort seeks to change that.

We’re a little over a month away from Michigan’s Democratic presidential primary, and just three days away from the first caucus in Iowa. Millions of voters will be casting a ballot for the first time this year.

In most presidential election years, about 20 percent of voters age 18-24 show up to the polls.

“Sometimes the issues we’re talking about seem big and philosophical for the average 18 year-old. We need to bring it down to issues that affect their daily lives,” – Misha Stallworth, CitizenDetroit

In an effort to try to turn that number around and to help young voters get ready for their first foray into elective politics, CitizenDetroit is hosting a 2020 presidential primary simulation today at Cass Technical High School. The simulation includes a rally and voting booths provided by the department of elections for all 2,400 students at Cass.

Click on the player above to hear CitizenDetroit’s Misha Stallworth talk about the Cass Tech primary election simulation.


Shiraz Ahmed / WDET
Shiraz Ahmed / WDET

Guest

Misha Stallworth is the deputy CEO of CitizenDetroit. “We really wanted to make sure that young people are confident in the voting process,” she says.

“Sometimes the issues we’re talking about seem big and philosophical for the average 18 year-old,” Stallworth tells Stephen Henderson on Detroit Today. “We need to bring it down to issues that affect their daily lives.”

Support the news you love.

Here at WDET, we strive to make our journalism accessible to everyone. As a non-profit public media institution, we maintain our journalistic integrity through independent support from readers like you. Because you value WDET as your source of news, music, and conversation, please make a gift of support today. Even $5 helps! Donate today »

Author

  • Dynamic and diverse voices. News, politics, community and the issues that define our region. Hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Stephen Henderson, Detroit Today brings you fresh and perceptive views weekdays at 9 am and 7 pm.