PHARR - Students at PSJA North Early College High School experienced what it is like to vote using actual voting machines borrowed by the Hidalgo County Elections Department for their local class elections May 15.

The school's Student Council conducted their class elections on 15 electronic machines to expose and educate students about the importance of voting, and to get hands-on experience using the device.

According to PSJA North Student Council Sponsor Marco Villegas, they hope having students vote with real electronic machines helps them become familiar with the process and encourages them to vote when they are of age.

“The earlier we get our younger generations involved in the process the better,” said Villegas.

For the students, using the electronic machines to cast their votes instead of their usual pen and paper simplified the process.

“This was my very first time voting and it was really exciting,” said Junior student Roberto Maldonado. “The machines were very easy to use. It will now be easier for me to know how to vote when the time comes.”

In addition to PSJA North ECHS, students at PSJA T. Jefferson T-STEM ECHS also got to experience voting for their class elections utilizing the county's machines last Friday, May 12.