DMPS, Register Host Youth Forum for Presidential Candidates

Iowa’s largest news organization and Iowa’s largest and most diverse school district are partnering to co-sponsor a presidential candidate forum on issues important to students and young voters.

Des Moines Public Schools and the Des Moines Register are holding the Youth Voice: The Iowa Caucus at Roosevelt High School on Sunday, September 22 beginning at 9:00 AM.

The schedule for candidates speaking at the forum is as follows:

• 9:00 AM – Welcome and Introduction
• 9:10 AM – U.S. Representative Tulsi Gabbard
• 9:40 AM – U.S. Senator Michael Bennet
• 10:10 AM – U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders
• 10:40 AM – U.S. Representative Tim Ryan
• 11:10 AM – Andrew Yang
• 11:40 AM – Retired Admiral/former Congressman Joe Sestak
• 12:15 PM – Tom Steyer

Doors to the event will open at 8:00 AM. Roosevelt High School is located at 4419 Center Street in Des Moines.

Voting-age high school and college students from across the state will be in attendance at the forum. There are a limited number of seats available for the public. See below for more information on how students, teachers and the public can register to attend the event.

The event’s format will include opening and closing remarks by each candidate along with questions submitted by the audience. Fez Zafar, student body president at Roosevelt High School and the student member of the Iowa Board of Education, will serve as moderator.

“The Des Moines Register is proud to help present a presidential candidates forum that has been organized by young people and is focused squarely on issues of interest to them,” Des Moines Register Executive Editor Carol Hunter said. “We hope the forum will encourage young voters to engage with the presidential campaigns and participate in the Feb. 3 Iowa Democratic or Republican caucuses.”

“This forum is a great opportunity for those seeking our nation’s highest office to address what matters most to our newest voters, and will serve as a reminder that education is critical to addressing every challenge facing our world,” added Superintendent Thomas Ahart of Des Moines Public Schools.

Des Moines Public Schools is inviting college and high-school students to attend the event. The Des Moines Register will livestream the forum on DesMoinesRegister.com.

HOW STUDENTS/TEACHERS CAN ATTEND
Des Moines Public Schools is inviting Iowa high school and college students and teachers to attend the event. To sign up to attend, student should complete the online form at http://bit.ly/youthvoicetownhall.

HOW THE GENERAL PUBLIC CAN ATTEND
A limited number of tickets are available for the general public. Tickets can be obtained on a first-come, first-served basis at Tickets.DesMoinesRegister.com.

LIVESTREAM
The Des Moines Register will livestream the forum on DesMoinesRegister.com.