OLYMPIA—On Tuesday, January 16, public high schools throughout Washington will observe Temperance and Good Citizenship Day, an annual event created in 1923 to educate future voters about the importance of civic engagement.
In partnership with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Office of the Secretary of State offers resources to support K–12 educators in teaching about the processes and impacts of voting in elections. Educators can find resources at the official Temperance and Good Citizenship Day websites hosted by the Secretary of State and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.
“One of our goals is to prepare all Washington students for civic engagement,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal said. “Temperance and Good Citizenship Day is an opportunity to inspire the next generation of voters and prepare them to be active members of their communities.”
Students who will be 18 by the Nov. 5 General Election are encouraged to register as Future Voters in time to participate in the March 12 Presidential Primary. As part of Temperance and Good Citizenship Day, eligible students will be offered registration resources through events in their history and social studies classrooms.
“Young people have the power to impact their communities,” Secretary of State Steve Hobbs said. “The Office of the Secretary of State is proud to be part of this event that encourages participation in the democratic process and showcases how easy it is to be involved.”
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.
About the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
Led by Superintendent Chris Reykdal, OSPI is the primary agency charged with overseeing public K–12 education in Washington state. Working with the state’s 295 public school districts and six state-tribal education compact schools, OSPI allocates funding and provides tools, resources, and technical assistance so every student in Washington is provided a high-quality public education.
