Rifle High Students Get a Front-Row Seat to Democracy

Three Rifle High School students spent this election season seeing democracy up close as student election judges for Garfield County. For each of them, the experience offered a rare look behind the curtain at how local elections truly function.

Jaslyn Valencia, Alejandro Sanchez, and Kincaid Perdue completed two hours of security training and four hours of election training. According to Garfield County Clerk and Recorder Jackie Harmon, this is the same requirement for all election judges.

Alejandro, who finished the full training but missed Election Day due to illness, said the process opened his eyes to the mechanics of voting.

“It interests me, seeing how voting works, because I've never voted. I got to see everything that goes into the process of voting, from the kind of machines that are used to the paperwork that's required.”

Jaslyn was surprised by the number of ballot types and steps involved.

“I didn’t realize that for a single election, it takes several ballots to do that. It's very systematic,” she said. Even after years of watching election coverage, she hadn’t understood the complexity.

“I was shocked at how these people work and count all these things in one day. Seeing it made me understand that it really takes an excellent system.” She added that the training they received was exceptional and that the training teams were encouraging, friendly and very knowledgeable.

For Kincaid, one message was clear. Nothing is left to chance.

“There are so many seals. Two people have to sign off on everything. It is insanely secure,” he said.

Election night made the point tangible.

“My arm was getting sore. I thought it was gonna fall off from all the signing,” he laughed.

But beyond the procedures, it was the people who stood out.

“It warmed my heart seeing that people were coming to vote. All the different types of people that you meet; it's really nice to see all of the people living in the community.”
Harmon, who revived the student election judge program last year, hopes it gives students a meaningful view of the democratic process.

“I hope students learn the election process through real experience and become actively involved in our democracy. I want them to leave excited about elections and motivated to encourage their peers to vote,” she said.

For these three Rifle High students, the experience had that effect.

“I feel like it's a very trustworthy process. Voters can put their trust into this,” Jaslyn said.

“I definitely know that my vote will count and that it will matter,” added Kincaid.

Harmon encourages students to apply next year, noting that the program offers a rare chance to observe elections from the inside and make a meaningful contribution. Alejandro added another reason for students and community members to consider becoming election judges.

“It's just a good way to serve your community.”