OLYMPIA — Public high schools throughout Washington will observe Temperance and Good Citizenship Day Friday, Jan. 13.
Now in its 100th year, Temperance and Good Citizenship Day is unique to Washington and is one of several civic observances for which state law provides specific instructions for schools. Every January, Washington students learn about becoming engaged and productive citizens. On Temperance and Good Citizenship Day, high-school seniors can register to vote during their social studies classes, either with a printed voter-registration form or via VoteWA.gov, Washington’s online voter portal.
The Office of the Secretary of State (OSOS) offers educators several online resources including a “Teaching Elections in Washington State” curriculum guide, Classroom Guide to Registering Voters, printable voter-registration forms, and more. The OSOS partnered with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to add Temperance and Good Citizenship Day to the Future Voter program. Future Voter allows 16- and 17-year-olds to sign up as future voters and be automatically registered to vote when they become eligible.
Also, recent legislation allows 17-year-olds who turn 18 between the August Primary Election and the November General Election to vote in the primary. For more information, voters are encouraged to visit the Elections page on the Secretary of State’s website or contact their local elections office.
“One of the goals of our K-12 education system is to prepare our students for a lifetime of civic engagement," said Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal. "Our democracy is in the hands of our future voters, and as a former social studies teacher, I know their engagement in civic life begins with understanding that their vote matters.”
“Registering to vote early in life is the first step toward being civically engaged and becoming a lifelong voter,” said Secretary of State Steve Hobbs. “Temperance and Good Citizenship Day is an opportunity to remind our young citizens that they have an indispensable voice in shaping the future of our state, our nation, and our world.”
Temperance and Good Citizenship Day was enacted by the state Legislature in 1923.
About the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
Led by State Superintendent Chris Reykdal, OSPI oversees K-12 public education in Washington state. Our mission is to provide funding, resources, tools, data and technical assistance that enable educators to ensure students succeed in our public schools, are prepared to access post-secondary training and education, and are equipped to thrive in their careers and lives.
About the Office of the Secretary of State
Washington’s Office of the Secretary of State oversees a number of areas within state government, including managing state elections, registering corporations and charities, and governing the use of the state flag and state seal. The office also manages the State Archives and the State Library, documents extraordinary stories in Washington’s history through Legacy Washington, oversees the Combined Fund Drive for charitable giving by state employees, and administers the state’s Address Confidentiality Program to help protect survivors of crime.