Imagine being 18 (or nearly 18) years old and having someone like the West Virginia Secretary of State tell you that, at least in one aspect, you are just as powerful as someone like Taylor Swift or the president of the United States.

That’s what local students learned when Secretary Kris Warner visited Brooke High School and Oak Glen High School recently to encourage them to register to vote when they are eligible.

“No one is any greater or less than anyone else. We’re all equal when we get to the ballot box,” Warner told the students gathered at their respective schools

Warner was absolutely right to avoid mentioning his own party affiliation while urging the young people in this audience to read, research, observe — come to their own conclusions about who will represent THEIR beliefs — and then vote accordingly.

Under state law, a 17-year-old resident can register if he or she will be 18 before the November general election. That gives plenty of opportunity for our local high school seniors, not just at Brooke and Oak Glen, but also Weir High and Madonna High School, to register to vote if they have not already done so.

There’s also the matter of potential bragging rights for the schools, as the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office has an award, named in honor of the late U.S. Sen. Jennings Randolph, presented to schools in recognition of their students registering to vote. Schools with 85% of eligible students registered receive the silver award, while those with 100% get the gold award. Randolph, who was from West Virginia, championed legislation through Congress lowering the voting age from 21 to 18.

These young men and women will be the ones making many of the decisions for the future of our nation. We thank Warner for taking the time to remind them of the duty and responsibility they will have and encourage them to take this right seriously.

We look forward to seeing what you do with it.