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Youth at the Booth is a statewide program that allows one high school student from each precinct to work at the polls.

 

Deputy Director of the Washington Co. Board of Elections Peggy Byers says she started to work with students three years ago.

 

Byers says the benefits of the program for students goes beyond the polls.

 

"Research says if we get the kids involved at this point that it's more likely they will be a lifetime voter and we hope maybe they will be one of our good candidates," says Byers.

 

The board encourages high school instructors to assist students in making informed voting decisions.

 

Byers says students who have participated in the program in years past have increased their political awareness.

 

"We do hear that occassionally and actually a lot of very favorable feedback about the kids who participate and they are always anxious to get up and do what they need to do and do participate very well, (we get) good feedback from the older poll workers," said Byers.

 

Students participate in a two-hour training program which includes a walk through of most voting scenarios and will get paid for their work on election day.