Scripps first-year Eli Winkelman knows the importance of one vote. The rigorous “boot camp” she endured this summer taught her everything she needed to know about the voting process. During her intensive six-week training for eight hours a day in Austin, Texas, she listened to political speakers, learned about voter roles, and finally was deputized to register voters in the state of Texas.
Mark Strama, a Democrat running for the Texas State House of Representatives, created the “Campaign Academy” for high school and college students after working with the youth-driven Rock the Vote organization. About 50 interns participated in the program as a chance to gain new insight into campaigns and elections.
Over the summer, Winkelman registered between 30 and 40 first-time voters and hasn’t stopped working to get the word out since she has been at college. “A lot of my friends don’t know how to register absentee, so I’m writing postcards to all of them and reminding them to vote down the ballot, not just for president,” she said.
After graduating from Westlake High School in Austin, Texas, in 2003, she spent a year in Washington, D.C., and Israel before coming to Scripps. In Washington, D.C., she worked for a Minnesota senator for three months, learning the ins and outs of the Capitol building.
Winkleman has always been interested in government and what it can do for a community. “We’re not riding around in rocket ships. We’re affected so much by politics. Nutrition, roads, gas prices, parks. You can see the difference it makes if you just pay attention. People don’t usually see it, but cause and effect in our community is all government.” She is currently considering a major in politics or international relations.
While Winkelman knows that students are busy with college life, she hopes everyone will take the time to vote. She encourages voters to educate themselves about all the candidates and the issues on the ballot. “Voting makes such a difference locally. Your vote does count in local elections. It’s our lives, our environment, our future.”