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Students from Democracy Prep charter schools wore T-shirts that said "I can't vote" on the front and "But you can!" on the back as they urged people in Harlem to vote today.

Harlem Prep Middle School is one of 32 charter schools housed in public space that the Department of Education allowed to stay open today, while its own schools are closed in honor of Election Day.

In between classes, students from the school — part of the Democracy Prep network of charter schools — are spending the day reminding the residents of Harlem to exercise their right to vote.

Harlem Prep students staked out First Avenue between 100th and 106th Street today while five other groups of Democracy Prep students canvassed Harlem all the way up to 145th Street.

The get-out-the-vote activities reflect the network’s emphasis on civics. Last month, Democracy Prep students also starred in a music video that exhorted viewers to “Vote for Somebody.”

“I can’t vote but you can!” Mykev, a sixth-grader at Harlem Prep, eagerly chanted to those passing by. Some people barely broke their stride but others said they appreciated the students’ efforts and shared in their enthusiasm. (more…)