Stories of Local Activism #1
Youth Do Vote
Building the
Next Generation of Poll Workers
San Antonio–Bexar County, Texas
Since 2022, Youth Do Vote has trained San Antonio high-school students (ages 16–17) to serve as Student Election Clerks and address Texas’s growing poll-worker shortage.
Through school-based outreach and vibrant Youth Voter & Poll Worker Fests, the initiative creates a pipeline where teens learn election administration even before they are eligible to vote. Student clerks earn $16/hour and bring bilingual support, technological ease, and energy to local polling sites.
Founded in January 2023 by Heather Eichling, a third-generation poll worker from Bexar County, Youth Do Vote is redefining what early civic engagement looks like.
Hear from Students Who Are
Doing the Work
Student Clerk
Election Judge
Mission
To empower young people to engage in the democratic process through education, advocacy, and action—fostering a generation of informed, inspired, and active voters committed to shaping a just and inclusive future.
What They Do
1. Voter Registration
Helping schools run regular, accessible registration drives for new voters
2. Voting Education
Delivering sessions, classroom support, and youth-led workshops that explain election processes in clear, approachable language
3. Student Election Clerk Recruitment
Training and placing 16- to 17-year-olds in paid clerk positions to support bilingual assistance, help troubleshoot polling-place technology, and boost capacity at vote centers
See how San Antonio teens are powering local democracy.
Youth Voter & Poll Worker Fest
Theory of Change
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Engagement
Introducing young people to civic life early increases the likelihood that they become lifelong voters and civically engaged adults.
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Connections
Providing educators and administrators with the right tools and partnerships helps institutionalize voter registration and civic education in high schools.
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Involvement
Directly involving high school and college students in election administration builds trust in democratic systems and reinforces the value of public service.
IMPACT
Services to Schools
2024–2025 School Year
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28 high schools served
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10 school districts served
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2,200+ students registered to vote​
Fall 2025 (as of November 2025)
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17 high schools
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11 school districts
Student Poll Workers in Action
November 2025 Election
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42 students placed
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33 high school
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9 college
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Roles:
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Student Election Clerks (majority)
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2 Election Judges
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1 Election Technician
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Students represented 13 high schools and 8 colleges across the county.​​
My experience as a student election clerk has helped me be able to interact with other people and my community and being able to express my ideas. I have been able to communicate with my family more and express how I am due to me being able to talk to other people as well as my peers. Overall being a student election clerk lets me gain experience I can carry onto the real world and lets me talk to others without being nervous.
Jeremiah Garza—Senior, St. Philip’s Early College High School
Has worked three elections to date: May 2024, November 2024, and November 2025
Take Action
Support youth leadership in democracy. Learn from Youth Do Vote in building the next generation of informed voters and election workers.
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Invite Youth Do Vote to your school or district.
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Partner with Youth Do Vote on voter registration and clerk recruitment.
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Share this story with your network.
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Contact the Team: info@youthdovote.org
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Visit their website: www.youthdovote.org
