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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The heroes of our democracy deserve more
You were the heroes of our democracy in 2020, and you deserve more than what this year has given you. You deserve a reliable and transparent democracy that welcomes you.
New voter registrations soar in Fulton County, Georgia
In Fulton County, Georgia, 9,769 new voters registered to vote between Election Day on November 3, 2020 and the December 7 cutoff to vote in the U.S. Senate runoff on January 5. This is according to documents The Civics Center has obtained from Fulton County officials.
Georgia survey says: high school students need help registering to vote
With two Georgia runoff races for U.S. Senate just seven weeks away, and with the voter registration deadline just three weeks away, we reached out to college students around Georgia to learn how much they know about the laws governing voter registration and the runoff in their state.
Young people could decide the Georgia runoff races for US Senate
In Georgia, about 23,000 young people were not old enough to vote in the super-close general election this year, but will be eligible to vote in the runoff election for U.S. Senate in January 2021 -- if they register to vote by December 7, 2020.
The Civics Center affirms calls for every vote to be counted
Imagine you just turned 18 or 19, and this was your first election. Your school’s voter registration events were canceled because of Covid, and there were no summer concerts at which to register.
4 in 5 college students in states likely to have close elections report having been asked to make a plan to vote
With the election less than two weeks away, get-out-the-vote groups emphasize making a voting plan as a way to help voters think through the mechanics of making sure they will have a chance to vote.
Preregistration Is Taking Hold in California, and We Still Have a Long Way to Go
The California Secretary of State recently published the state’s youth voter preregistration statistics as of September 2020. Although school closures and the cancellation of summer events have led to a short-term decline in preregistration numbers, the long-term picture appears brighter.
What RBG was telling us: Grab a teaspoon
A note from Laura W. Brill, Director of The Civics Center, to future voters on the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
The Civics Center congratulates Laura Brill on receiving the Judith Soley Lawyer as Citizen Award
The Civics Center Director Laura W. Brill was honored with the 2020 Judith Soley Lawyer as Citizen Award from the California Women Lawyers (CWL). The Judith Soley Lawyer as Citizen Award is given to one attorney each year who has “made a significant contribution to their community...beyond the practice of law” and “devotes time and effort to the public good and values through the tradition of public service and involvement.”
New Voter Registrations Have Plummeted Due to COVID-19
Voter registration rates in April and May of 2020 have plummeted in relation to the rates in the same months in 2016. Declines in voter registration rates have been as significant as 75% in some states.
Bloomington in Action
Before their collaboration on a digital voter registration drive, Lucia Walker and Celina German never knew they lived in the same neighborhood, let alone the same town. Lucia, a rising senior at Bloomington High School South in Bloomington, Indiana, and Celina, a rising senior at Kenyon College and a BHSS alumna, are both interested in civic engagement.
What you can do
A note from a high school student asked what he could do to improve high school voter registration rates in his hometown. It got me thinking about creating a list of easy-to-use resources laying out what students can do on a personal level and in their schools to make a difference.
Colorado Shows Sharp Decline in New Voter Registrations
The number of new voter registrations in Colorado has significantly decreased from the spring of 2016 to the spring of 2020, according to newly released data obtained by The Civics Center from the Colorado Secretary of State.
“Let’s Get To Work” To Support Youth Voting
Last week Barack Obama challenged young Americans to “get to work.” He asked youth activists to create momentum, to effect real change, to sustain that change. He asked them to raise awareness, which thousands of young people are already doing through peaceful protest. And he asked young people to vote.
It’s going to be a long summer: Great books for high school activists
For everyone who wants to make a difference and who wants to learn more, we’re suggesting a handful of books we love. Stay tuned for a future post on podcasts and documentaries we love. With each suggestion, we’ve tried to find a voice that is unique and authentic and that feels like a new friend. This is not homework.