Goshen High School will hold an election day on Tuesday, May 23 to determine the City of Goshen’s next youth adviser, who will work with the City Council during the 2017-2018 school year.
State law allows mayors to appoint a person younger than 18 years of age to serve as an adviser to the council on matters concerning the youth. Though an election is not required, Mayor Jeremy Stutsman said encouraging students to declare themselves as candidates and holding an election day would allow our younger constituents to immerse themselves and learn about the voting process.
In Goshen, GHS students elected Jake Biller (Class of 2017) as their first youth adviser in the fall of 2016. Since October, Jake has served as a non-voting member at the City Council.
Mayor Stutsman said not only was the election held at GHS a success, but also having Jake serve on the City Council added a new voice for the youth in our community.
“I have been very impressed with the perspectives Jake has added to our conversations,” he said. “Jake has done a great job as Goshen’s first Youth Adviser and I am looking forward to working with our next appointed adviser.”
This year there are three candidates vying for the youth adviser position: Cade Fisher, Jason Barahona and Anna Paetkau have declared their candidacy. They will be senior students at GHS next year.
During the election day, faculty from Goshen High School and staff from the Elkhart County clerk’s office will assist with setting up electronic voting kiosks and overseeing the election.
The new elected youth adviser will be announced by the end of the school day on May 23.