Willow Glen Resident

Cover Story

Photograph by Vicki Thompson

Make a Difference: Willow Glen resident Robert Beebe teaches an AP government class at Del Mar High School. He has a wealth of materials in his classroom that encourages 18-year-olds to register to vote.

Beebe's Ballot

Teacher's class inspires young voters

By Alicia Upano

Del Mar High School teacher Robert Beebe takes a quick stroll before his first class, chewing on breakfast as he walks through the chilly campus. He's walked these halls for more than 15 years, and before that, he taught at Branham High School for nearly 20 years. This is his last year before retirement. But before that happens, he will do what he set out to accomplish 36 years ago--inspire young voters.

Beebe, a Willow Glen resident, began teaching in 1970 when the country was in the throes of the Vietnam War and young people demanded more voice in government. This baby boomer generation argued that since they were old enough to die as conscripts in the war, they were also old enough to vote.

Their efforts lent credibility to previous wartime efforts to lower the voting age from 21 to 18. In 1971, Congress ratified the 26th Amendment, allowing 18-year-olds to vote.

"It was really exciting. They thought 'We make a difference, we get to have a voice,' " Beebe says. "In the '80s, that all got lost."

Today, voting participation among 18- to 24-year-olds is lower than any other age group, with only 17 percent of the population casting ballots. Beebe isn't one to shy away from a challenge; in fact, he says that's part of the excitement.

Many of his students are neophytes, Beebe says. Del Mar has one of the most ethnically diverse and low-income populations in the Campbell Union High School District. The students and their families often are busy just trying to make ends meet. Many of these families don't discuss government or economics, and often don't have computers at home for independent research, he says.

In his class he emphasizes the importance of being an educated voter and learning how to sort through what he calls the garbage of political attack ads on television. He tells his students, "The more knowledge you have, the more difficult it is to be tricked."

When the morning bell rings, Beebe heads back to his AP government classroom, where his students will discuss voter apathy among teens and young adults.

"I think a big reason people don't vote is they don't understand the difference they can make," says Del Mar senior Jennifer Dean.

Student Sunyi Lim, says politics takes a back seat to other interests such as music and the Internet.

Raphaela Floreani Buzbee says most young people are apathetic about government because they do not think it is interesting.

Despite the long odds, Beebe thinks he is making headway. He keeps voter registration cards in his room, encouraging his students to have a voice in their government. He emphasizes local issues and voting for city and school board officers, pointing out these decisions will have an immediate effect on the students' daily lives.

Understanding the issues and being educated about the candidates will aid five of Beebe's students when they go to the polls this November.

Val Serines, Judith Carrillo, Jason Nielson and Steven McIntyre will all be eligible to vote for the first time.

"I wanted to get my voice heard," Val says. "This economy in this government stinks, you know? I live here, I might as well participate."

Steven agrees. "If I don't vote, I can't complain."

Many of Beebe's other students are planning to vote when they turn 18. Jennifer Dean, daughter of former Campbell City Councilman Matthew Dean, is one of them. Not only will her vote matter in the final ballot tally, she says, it will serve as an example to her friends and siblings.

Beebe encourages these efforts. He says voters need to push politicians to make decisions based on what's best for the average American. In his class he discusses the upcoming governor's race, the propositions and various bond measures on the November ballot. He says students such as those at Del Mar have the most at stake.

He points to community college cutbacks, large class sizes, rising costs of tuition and the debt incurred for a basic education as important reasons to get out and vote.

"Education is the only equalizer for a lot of these kids," Beebe says. "I don't care how they vote, just so they vote based on their own interests."

According to California's Exclusive Electorate, a study by Mark Baldassare, nonvoters could make a difference in state elections as their politics vary from the voter majority. Nonvoters favor a more active government, have less faith in elected officials and support ballot measures that would spend more on programs to help the poor.

In Baldassare's study, students such as those in Beebe's class fit into a number of categories that define nonvoters in California in that many are "nonwhite, younger and less affluent."

Beebe's students acknowledge their voting parents and teachers inspire many of their political views. However, student Laurel Hilt says there's a difference between the generations. Her parents and their friends have concerns that pertain to their adult lives, such as taxes and mortgages.

"We are thinking about school work, MySpace and things of our generation," Laurel says.

In the end, Beebe hopes these civic lessons serve his students well into the future. He wants them to understand how their participation in an election can help shape the country's policies.

"One of the most important things that will determine the future of American democracy is the young people today being knowledgeable and involved, at least to the point of voting intelligently," Beebe says.

Registrar sets key dates for election

The Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters has set key dates for the Nov. 7 election.

Absentee voting ballots can be cast starting Oct. 10 and continuing through Election Day on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the registrar's office, 1555 Berger Drive, Building 2, San Jose.

Oct. 10 is also the first day to request an absentee ballot.

The last day for new voters to register to vote is Oct. 23. Voters who need to re-register because they have changed a name or address or party affiliations must also do so by Oct. 23.

Voters registering or re-registering are now required by federal law to provide either a California driver's license number, California identification card number or the last four digits of their social security card number on registration forms.

The registrar's office will hold weekend voting from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 28, Nov. 4 and 5.

Oct. 31 is the last day to request an absentee ballot by mail. If requests aren't received by 5 p.m., absentee ballots can be obtained only in person at the office.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 7. Absentee ballots must be received no later than 8 p.m. on Nov. 7 at the office. Postmarks are not accepted.

For additional information, visit www.sccvote.org or call 408.299.8683.

The Registrar's Office is also seeking volunteer workers for the polls. They will receive a stipend of $85.

For more information on working at the polls, call 408.299.7655.