R.I. Secretary Of State Visits Johnston High School

Secretary of State Ralph Mollis visited on March 29, armed with pieces of state history to help him deliver a direct message to the juniors and seniors in attendance: "Let your voice be heard."

Mayor Joseph M. Polisena joined Mollis in encouraging students to register to vote — state law now allows 16-year-olds to pre-register in advance of their 18th birthdays — and to get involved in the political process.

"This is your town; this is your state; this is your country," Polisena said. "We need you (and) we need your help — so get active."

Mollis presented the original 1920 state law granting women the right to vote, as well as the presidential candidacy declarations signed by President Barack Obama and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

He also explained that 59 percent of 18-year-olds are registered to vote, though only about half of that number actually cast ballots in elections.

"I hope to encourage you to let your voice be heard," Mollis told the students. Noting the political unrest in other countries, he added: "We live in this great country, where you can peacefully refuse to take 'no' for an answer."

That's what happened prior to Rhode Island granting voting rights to women, Mollis recalled.

"Someone went to vote, and was told that the laws didn't allow it, and they refused to take 'no' for an answer," he explained. In response to a question from Principal Gerry Foley, Mollis said "it's just a matter of time" until a woman is elected President of the United States — a situation that was impossible just 91 years ago.

Polisena and Mollis also mentioned the referenda that are usually included in the every-other-year ballots.

"It's a way to tell us how to spend your tax dollars," explained Polisena, who recalled the recent vote to approve the new Marian J. Mohr Library. "Because people wanted it, we're going to have a new library across the street."

Mollis added that referenda questions "are usually decided by a small number of people, so you really can make a difference."

The accompanying video shows Secretary Mollis speaking to students as part of the March 29 program. Johnston High School Student Council President Nilandu Sutoummalee speaks about the importance of such events in getting students involved, and Social Studies Department Chair Steve Donovan addresses how events like this fit the social studies curriculum.