As the Nov. 8 midterm elections rapidly approach, many of St. Louis U. High’s oldest student—18-year old seniors—will make their ways to the ballot box for the first time. Although less publicized than presidential election cycles, the 2022 midterms provide an opportunity for new voters to play a role in both local, state, and national politics, with ballot measures ranging from municipal propositions to the US Senate race.

In an effort to gather data regarding student voting habits, the Prep News sent out a poll via email to all seniors on Wednesday morning. At the time of the poll’s closing at 3:05 yesterday afternoon, it had received responses from 138 students (59 percent of the senior class), of which 54 (39.1 percent) were 18 years old. Of these 54 eligible voters, 38 (70.4 percent) said that they were registered to vote through the state of Missouri in time for Tuesday’s election. 33 of 47 (70.2 percent) responded “yes” to the poll’s final question, which inquired about whether seniors had already made a plan to vote.

When compared to the findings of the last Prep News survey regarding seniors and voting, which was published in the leadup to the 2012 election, these results indicate a gradual decline in student voting. The 2012 survey found that 81 percent of eligible seniors had registered to vote in time for the election, a number which has since decreased 11 percentage points.

This decline comes in spite of widespread efforts at simplifying the voter registration process. With the prevalence of social media, teenagers in particular are often targeted by advertising on apps such as Instagram or TikTok, in hopes of raising awareness of voting to young people. In addition to registering online, voters are also able to register through more traditional means—by mail or in person. 

Many seniors registered at the DMV when renewing their driver’s licenses following their birthdays, conveniently killing two bureaucratic birds with one stone.

“I told the attendant at the Missouri License Department that I would like to register, but after that day I did not hear anything back for weeks on if I was registered to vote and even if I was actually registered,” said senior Nick Devoti. “Once I got the confirmation letter last week, with my poll location and people on the ballot, I was put at ease.”

“I registered at the DMV about a week before my birthday when I had to renew my ID but I know you can also register online or through the mail,” said senior Jackson Slusser.

Seniors took full advantage of the numerous ways to register, with some choosing to register in-person, and others signing up online after seeing advertisements.

“I registered at Pride St. Louis in June,” said senior Chandler Brozovich. “I felt like it was important to have my voice heard and participate in American democracy.”

“I registered the same day I turned 18,” said senior Nolan Meara. “I got a notification from a social media site that said that I could register to vote and it was really simple.”

While students' political opinions undoubtedly vary, the importance of being active in the political system was a continuous theme for many respondents. 

“I feel like I have a right to promote good for the community and our country,” said Meera. “I feel like everyone should do that when they’re able to.”

Senior Peter Roither also signed up because he felt it was his civic duty.

“I feel obligated because voting makes the system run, like gas for a car, and I want the government to run well,” said Roither.

For Devoti, the importance of voting was something ingrained in him from a young age, as his father—who works in local politics—often took his son along with him to polling places.

“I have been familiar with the polls for as long as I can remember,” said Devoti. “My dad is a lawyer here in St. Louis who serves on the committee to choose the judges for St. Louis’s court system. So, he has dragged me along to many polls, where he stands outside and convinces people to vote for the best judge or politician. This hasn’t made me want to become a politician, but it has taught me how important it is to get to the polls on Election Day.”

Though SLUH’s student body represents a diverse array of political opinions, another common talking point among respondents was the impact which Jesuit education has had on their views on the democratic process. 

“Just like one within the Catholic faith has an obligation to attend Mass, US citizens have an obligation to vote,” said Slusser. “Use all of your values and beliefs to help form your voting decisions.”

The influence of Catholic ideals has also shaped the political views of students who cannot vote, such as senior Alex Brinkman, whose December birthday makes him just weeks too young to vote this cycle. Due in large part to the tenets of Catholic Social Teaching which are taught in junior theology classes, many younger students like Brinkman are excited about voting.

“I think that a lot of fundamental axioms of our Catholic faith call us to do good in the world and part of that is just through social justice and being active in our community politically,” said Brinkman.

“I think the reason we are here (at SLUH), students and teachers, and not at some other high school is that we have a deeper meaning behind what we do,” said AP American Politics teacher Tom Zinselmeyer. “That deeper Jesuit meaning is to bring positive change to our communities and one of the biggest ways to do that is through the political system, which requires active participation.”