(ABC 6 News) – The Iowa Secretary of State’s office and high schools across the state partnered up Tuesday for High School Voter Registration Day.

Their message to high schoolers all day was about the importance of voting and participating in our democracy.

Current Iowa state law allows 17-year-olds to register to vote.

Secretary Paul Pate says they already have 4,500 17-year-olds registered for the upcoming election in November. He says this follows a trend in young voter turnout over the last two general elections.

“We want their voice to be heard and the first step is registering to vote. And by working with to schools to walk them through the process and get them registered I think is a helpful way to get it started,” said Pate.

Click here for more information on how you can register to vote.