California Secretary of State Alex Padilla stopped by Golden Valley High School Wednesday morning to encourage students to register to vote.

Over 500 students packed one side of the Golden Valley gym to listen to Padilla as well as to watch a video showing the importance of voting. Students who are 16 and 17 are able to “pre-register” to vote, which automatically activates when they turn 18.

Governing Board member Bob Jensen, Superintendent Vicki Engbrecht, Assistant Superintendent Mike Kuhlman and field representatives from both Congressman Steve Knight’s office and Assemblyman Dante Acosta’s office, were also on hand.

Earlier this year, Secretary Padilla launched a High School Civic Engagement Portal, HighSchool.sos.ca.gov. High school students can learn more about pre-registration, find out how to be a student poll worker, get resources to host a student mock election on their campus, and learn how to organize voter registration drives on their campuses during High School Voter Education Weeks.

The California Education Code designates the last two full weeks in April and September to be High School Voter Education Weeks. This provides an opportunity for high schools and their students to partner with elections officials to promote civic education and participation on campus and foster an environment that cultivates lifelong voters and active citizens.