# First-time voters head to polls

> Chicago high school students cast ballots for first time in upcoming election.
- Title: First-time voters head to polls · Chicago Sun-Times | Shortify
- Summary: Chicago high school students cast ballots for first time in upcoming election. Hundreds of Chicago high school students voted in the city's general election…
- Keywords: chicago, high school students, voting, general election, chicago votes, mayor brandon johnson, first-time voters, news, local, First-time, voters, head
- Source: Chicago Sun-Times — https://chicago.suntimes.com/elections/2026/10/28/photos-first-time-voters-head-to-the-polls
- Published: 2026-10-28T21:34:44.91+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: chicago, high school students, voting, general election, chicago votes, mayor brandon johnson, first-time voters, news, local
## First-time voters head to polls
Hundreds of Chicago high school students cast their ballots in the upcoming general election Wednesday.
## Chicago Votes sponsors event
Chicago Votes, a political organization with a focus on young people, sponsored the Parade to the Polls, busing students from school to the Loop site so they could cast their ballots in the upcoming general…
## Students vote for first time
Each time a rookie voter cast their ballot, an election official rang a bell to congratulate them.
## Student voter experience
Pritzker College Prep student Elijah Candelaria said he was nervous but understood what he was voting for and was happy to vote.
## Mayor Johnson supports youth voting
Mayor Brandon Johnson said removing barriers to voting is vital to improving youth voter turnout in Chicago.
## Chicago Votes executive director
Chicago Votes Executive Director Stevie Valles held voter guides during the Parade to the Polls event.
## Students fill out forms
Students read voting guides while waiting in line to vote during Chicago Votes’ Parade to the Polls at the voting supersite in the Loop.
## Students cast ballots
Jimmy Mei, 18, a senior at UIC College Prep, cast his ballot with guidance from early voting official Lynea Smith.
## Students vote with support
Aliviah Ball, 18, a student at Butler College Prep, cast her ballot during Chicago Votes’ Parade to the Polls.
## Voting officials assist
Lynea Smith, an early voting official, rang a bell for new voters during Chicago Votes’ Parade to the Polls.
## Teachers support voting
Miyauna Guyton, a teacher at Johnson College Prep, stood with her students during Chicago Votes’ Parade to the Polls.
## Key takeaway

Hundreds of Chicago high school students voted in the city's general election for the first time, supported by Chicago Votes.