Finding hope in writing postcards [Voices of Democracy series]

During the weeks preceding the 2020 General election, I felt particularly anxious, stressed out, and quite frankly a little bit helpless. 

I kept asking myself if my voter registration efforts over the last two years would amount to anything? Had I done enough? Would the youth electorate show up in record numbers? I hoped so. When you have been working towards something for so long, the last few moments feel the most chaotic and nerve-racking. 

However, after learning about The Civics Center’s postcarding campaign, to encourage young people in crucial states to register to vote, I dissolved my feelings of helplessness, channeled my energy and passion for youth civic engagement, and placed an order for 20 postcards. I quickly received my beautiful cards in the mail; whipped out some pens, stamps, and music; and got to work. While there was little I could do to remedy my internal concerns about this election, I realized that there were millions of young people around the country that I could tangibly help with this simple yet powerful gesture. 

I was assigned to write postcards to students in Montana – a state I have never been to and knew little about. However, taking the time to communicate with young voters, in Montana, allowed me to meaningfully connect with a part of the country I never imagined I would. Additionally, writing the same message over and over again can become monotonous for some, but I found it empowering and meaningful, as a young person, to share civic resources with a fellow member of my generation. Finally, dropping off the postcards at the post office affirmed to me how special and necessary it is for young people to show up not only for democracy but for each other. 

While this postcarding project seemed simple at the surface, it allowed me to get involved, mobilize others, and translate my values into measurable action. 

Sofia Avila is a 2020 Youth Fellow with The Civics Center and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree at the University of California, Berkeley. The Civics Center’s “Voices of Democracy” blog series celebrates and highlights the voices that matter to us most: those of young people working to improve civic engagement and participation in our democracy.