The APS Good Trouble Voter Campaign registered 927 new student voters from Sept. 25 and Dec. 7! This news comes as Atlanta Public Schools observes an early release for traditional schools on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021, to allow time for staff and eligible high school students to vote in the Georgia runoff elections.
Schools will adhere to the half-day dismissal schedule as follows:
● Elementary – 11:30 a.m.
● Middle – 12:30 p.m.
● High – Noon
After-school activities, including targeted intervention programs, will continue as scheduled.
The APS Office of Social Studies developed the APS Good Trouble Voter Campaign in partnership with When We All Vote (WWAV), a non-profit, non-partisan organization that is on a mission to increase participation in every election and close the race and age voting gap by changing the culture around voting, harnessing grassroots energy, and reaching every American through strategic partnerships.
The campaign aims to educate and inspire APS students and families about the importance of voting and honors the late Congressman and civil rights leader John Lewis, who once said, “Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble.”
APS Social Studies Coordinator Janean Lewis is the project developer for the campaign and has enlisted social studies teachers and student ambassadors to support the efforts.
“Engaging students in the election process is a foundational building block of civic engagement,” Lewis said. “Atlanta Public Schools’ students embody the spirit of civic engagement that our city is known for. It was important that we follow the examples of student-led movements of the past and encourage our young people to lead this effort. Their impact is undeniable as Georgia has one of the highest increases in young voter turnout nationwide.”
As part of the APS Good Trouble Voter Campaign, students and staff will volunteer at the polls at select APS polling sites with the highest total active voters. On Jan. 5, the campaign will provide meals for poll workers and the community at Bunche Middle School, an official polling precinct.
Tips and Resources:
- Be sure to drop off your absentee ballot in an official drop box. Do not put it in the mail.
- My Voter Page (GA Secretary of State) for personal voter information (registration status, mail-in application status, poll locations, district, etc.): www.mvp.sos.ga.gov/MVP/mvp.do
- Fulton County Resources (voter guides, sample ballots, early voting info, candidate information, poll worker info. etc.): www.fultoncountyga.gov/services/voting-and-elections
- Find where you can vote: https://iwillvote.com/locate.
- Capture your #APSGoodTroubleVoter in action via OMG Booth, our digital photo booth for voters. Be sure to use the official hashtag!
Talk Up APS 