Youth Election Participant (YEP)

Do you know a Clay County High School Sophomore to Senior that is interested in government or earning service hours? Our Youth Election Participant program is a great way to serve your community and work election day.

School Administrators - Submit Your YEP

Parent or Student - Submit Your YEP Interest Form

QUALIFICATIONS

Missouri law (RSMo 115.104) states that YEP students must:

1.) Have demonstrated age-appropriate academic ability and demeanor; and

2.) Be a person of good repute who can speak, read and write the English language; and

3.) Not be related within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity to any person whose name appears on the ballot, except that no participant shall be disqualified if related within such degree to an unopposed candidate. (examples of second degree are child, grandchild, & sibling)

4.) Be more than fifteen years of age but less than eighteen years of age'

5.) Be a resident of Missouri;

6.) Be a full time student in 10th, 11th, or 12th grade for the 2026-2027 academic school year.

TRAINING

TIMELINE

Our 2026 Election Days are August 4 & November 3.

YEP Submission Due Date to Participate in the August 4, 2026 election is June 5, 2026 by midnight.

YEP Submission Due Date to Participate in the November 3, 2026 election is September 4, 2026 by midnight.

+ 6-8 weeks before election, receive notification of selection to the YEP program

+ 4-6 weeks before election, receive training information

+ 2 weeks before election, training completion due date

+ 1 week before election, receive polling location assignment & final reminders

BENEFITS

+ Youth Election Participant (YEP) students will receive 18 service hours for a full day & 9 service hours for a half day.

+ YEP students will receive a completion certificate

+ YEP students will receive a letter to their school to show their attendance office for the excuse of absence.

+ YEP students who receive compliments from the public and election judges will receive a letter of accommodation

+ YEP students will also be included in Clay County Election Board's social media posts, congratulating them on their selection.

+ YEP Students will be a part of a Press Release to local media by the Clay County Election Board.

WHAT TO EXPECT

+ Youth Election Participant (YEP) students can choose to work a full day or a half day. For half day - there is an AM shift and a PM shift.

+ Full Day and AM shifts begin at 5:00 am.

+ Full Day and PM shift concludes after the polls close at 7:00 pm and the polling location is packed up.

+ YEP students can bring snacks, lunch, drinks, their homework to work on as time allows.

+ YEP students will be lifting and moving tables, chairs, and election supplies like privacy guards and boxes.

+ YEP students will help election judges with technology, greet and assist voters, and ensure the election day is a success!