Rachel Roy 3/24/22 Rachel Roy 3/24/22

The High School Voter Registration Recruitment Bandwagon [Voices of Democracy series]

You know those pesky adages like: “Assume Good Will” and “Don’t Take it Personally”. Well, dust them off as you recruit high schools to jump on the youth voter registration bandwagon.

Charlie Selbin, Riverdale Country School '22 10/11/21 Charlie Selbin, Riverdale Country School '22 10/11/21

The Future of Youth Voter Participation: A Call for States to Revamp Voter Registration Methods [Voices of Democracy series]

One way to almost certainly increase youth participation is to introduce pre-registration and automatic voter registration (AVR) laws in every state, as contemplated by the federal Freedom to Vote Act currently pending in Congress.

Annika Reff, Pomona College '25 1/5/21 Annika Reff, Pomona College '25 1/5/21

The Youth Vote: A Parade of Non-Partisan Politics [Voices of Democracy series]

Following the 2018 midterms, I fell down the rabbit hole of youth political engagement (as one does) and came across a staggering statistic.

Ameena Ahmed, Granger High School '22 12/28/20 Ameena Ahmed, Granger High School '22 12/28/20

Voter Registration During a Pandemic: West Valley City, Utah [Voices of Democracy series]

During the week of our drive, I ended up coming down with COVID. Cases nationwide were spiking for what seemed like the millionth time this year. Our voter registration drive pulled through, and we got a lot of seniors registered to vote.

Lintaro Donovan, Dartmouth College '24 12/27/20 Lintaro Donovan, Dartmouth College '24 12/27/20

No Time Left to Waste: Engagement in a Time of Apathy [Voices of Democracy series]

Sofia Avila, University of California, Berkely '24 12/27/20 Sofia Avila, University of California, Berkely '24 12/27/20

Finding hope in writing postcards [Voices of Democracy series]

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.

Jasmine Lewis, University of Alabama '24 12/23/20 Jasmine Lewis, University of Alabama '24 12/23/20

My godmother overcame Jim Crow laws to vote. I register voters for her. [Voices of Democracy series]

I could not let her sacrifices and perseverance go in vain. I knew I had to find a way to amplify the voices of my people and others in America who are silenced in not only our democracy today, but also throughout the history of our nation.

Samantha McLoughlin, Harvard-Westlake School '21 12/23/20 Samantha McLoughlin, Harvard-Westlake School '21 12/23/20

Never doubt the value of small actions [Voices of Democracy series]

When I decided to text-bank for the first time, I assumed the experience would make me feel irrelevant and useless.

Dorcas Olatunji, Northeastern University '24 12/22/20 Dorcas Olatunji, Northeastern University '24 12/22/20

Voting in my first election was just the first step toward making an impact [Voices of Democracy series]

It does not take a title to be an active citizen and step up to one’s civic duty. Sharing your voice and finding your passion is fundamental to contributing to important causes that affect your larger community.

Jack Vein, Harvard-Westlake School '22 12/22/20 Jack Vein, Harvard-Westlake School '22 12/22/20

Friendship is the key to expanding youth civic engagement [Voices of Democracy series]

Educating myself on current events in politics has allowed me to talk to new people and help deepen relationships with friends I previously had.