Green grass texture.
blue sky with a few clouds.
Gift cards graphic with the text "Get a $150 gift card when you help your school get ready to vote".

High School Students!

Backpack icon.

Learn to organize, lead your community, and help your classmates get ready to vote during Cap, Gown & Ballot!

The program is free, and when you finish you can receive a $150 gift card to offset any costs.

Wood background texture.

Follow three simple steps:

Sign up for a Workshop.

Attend and participate in a virtual workshop hosted by The Civics Center.
*If you attended a workshop with us during fall 2025, skip this step!

Plan and Run
your Event.

Request materials, submit your action plan and lead your nonpartisan civic event at your high school.

Returning student leaders, schedule a quick 1:1 Zoom call‍ ‍to review your action plan.

Report Back.

Submit a post-drive report.

Share your impact, your feedback and your advice to other students hoping to empower their peers across the country.

Scribbles background.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • All program requirements must be completed and submitted within seven days of the drive or voter education event ending and no later than June 16th, 2026.

    Program Requirements:

    1. Attend a workshop, request materials and schedule a nonpartisan civic event to be held before their state's voter registration deadline or other relevant deadline.

      NOTE: Materials requests should be submitted two weeks in advance of the event to ensure on-time delivery.

    2. Submit the Drive Action Plan in advance of their planned event

    3. Report back within one week of the event

  • TCC is here to help you organize a nonpartisan civic event that serves your school community. Qualifying events include:

    • Voter registration drives: help eligible classmates register or pre-register to vote

    • Voter education events: inform students about the voting process, registration deadlines, or how local, state, and federal government works

    • Civic engagement events: raise awareness of how students can get involved in the democratic process

    All events must be nonpartisan, open to all students regardless of political affiliation, and free of advocacy for any candidate or party.

    Not sure if your idea qualifies? Email [email protected] and we'll help you plan something great.

  • Your goal is to help peers engage in our democracy, not tell them who or what to vote for.

    Nonpartisan means that you do not advocate for a political candidate or party, and that your drive or voter education event is open to anyone in your school who is eligible to register or pre-register to vote, or interested in learning more about the democratic process.

  • While any number of students may participate in the program, TCC can provide gift cards to up to three student leaders per school per semester to offset costs.

    TCC will make best efforts to ensure that any student who signs up but is not among the first three at their school will be informed in advance. Students may also inquire at any time as to whether they are eligible.

    All students who support the event, both those that complete the full program and those that do not, are eligible to receive community service certificates in recognition of their volunteer service.

    For groups larger than three or groups such as a school club or class, TCC can provide up to three $150 gift cards to offset costs. Additional gift card allocations will be considered upon special written request by a teacher or faculty member. Please inquire at [email protected].

  • No — choose one student who will be the main point of contact with TCC. Use their email as the primary email in each submission to avoid confusion. Make sure the names and emails of the other student leaders are included in the team member section of each form.

    Each student on the leadership team (up to three) is eligible to receive a $150 gift card provided they have each completed the online training (with the date of training specified) and have met all program requirements outlined above. Please send all inquiries to [email protected].

  • Students are welcome and encouraged to support civic engagement among their peers through events on their campus. The Civics Center's program can offer one gift card each to up to three students taking a leadership role in a single nonpartisan civic event per semester. The event can take place over multiple days. All program requirements must be completed within seven days of your event ending and no later than the program deadline.

  • Age requirements vary by state. Check our State-by-State page to find your state’s requirements. Your Secretary of State’s website will have most of the other information you need. You’ll learn where to find all of this information and more during a TCC workshop.

  • Absolutely! In fact, follow @thecivicscenter on Instagram to stay up to date on our latest programs as well as to amplify messages on youth voter registration and civic engagement!

  • Although your event does not need to take place during school hours, your target audience should be your peers. For this, we encourage you to host it either during school hours, or after school during school-related events.

  • Gift cards will be emailed to eligible students who successfully complete all program requirements by the deadlines outlined.

  • Please allow 14 to 60 days from the last day of the program to receive your gift card.

NOTE: Registering voters, running a voter registration drive, being a registered voter and/or voting are NOT required for completion of the training program or receiving a $150 gift card. If you have any questions or need further information, please contact us at [email protected].