2024 Election: How to Get Involved As a High School Student

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It’s overwhelming to be in high school. You’re balancing college applications with prom plans, and standardized testing with the chaos of your TikTok feed. In addition to these traditional stressors, you are probably also grappling with the impending pressure of the 2024 election cycle. Whether or not you are old enough to vote, you should know that your actions could make all the difference in this and all future elections. The strength of our democracy hinges on the active participation of its citizens, and that includes you.

Gen Z is at the forefront of change, leading volunteer efforts, spearheading movements, and educating peers and family members on pivotal issues. Despite your active role in changemaking in the 2022 midterm elections, almost half of Gen Z were not contacted by any political group, according to a survey from the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) at Tufts University. So it’s not surprising that this generation feels unwelcome at the political table and further disheartened by the state of our country’s leadership.

Maya, an 18-year-old in New Jersey who participates in her high school’s Junior Statesmen of America program, highlighted this point, sharing that “when I look at those in positions of power I do not see people who support the ideals and values I have. I see people that are very different from me in age, so they do not understand what me and my generation want for the future of our country.”

The numbers confirm that this lack of active youth engagement by large political groups misses an opportunity to mobilize Gen Z voters at high rates. According to a research report from The Civics Center, more than half of 18-year-olds don’t vote in the first election in which they’re eligible to cast a ballot. According to the New Voters Research Network’s analysis of the Pennsylvania Voter File, 74% of those aged 65 and up voted in the 2020 presidential election, while only 44% of 18 year olds showed up at the polls. These numbers represent Gen Z’s potential to transform the country, from local schools boards to nationwide elections.

Why the disconnect? It boils down to logistical hurdles, from long lines at the polls to confusing rules for first-time voters, combined with limited outreach efforts to students, compounded by Gen Z’s exposure to an increasingly fragmented government and the sense that they are being overlooked and dismissed by those in power.

Maya shared that “Many of my friends think that their vote does not count and that we cannot change the state of our democracy. Personally, it's hard to believe in the ideal of democracy when all I have been hearing about in recent years is how Congress has shut down multiple times because agreements can not be made, or the endless debate over a new Speaker of the House. Everything seems very party-based now and the actual ideas have very little [impact on] people's choice in… candidates.”

Despite these challenges, remember this: Gen Z’s collective impact is immense, with 4 million students currently seniors in high school and on the cusp of being eligible to vote. Even if you can’t yet vote, you can still play a critical role. High school provides the perfect location for information-sharing and youth mobilization, where students can reach all their peers regardless of post-secondary education plans or socioeconomic status.

So, how can you bridge the gap between the energy of your activism and the power of your vote? How can you turn your concern into action and influence? Here are some simple, powerful steps you can take:

• Pre-register or register to vote: Check your state’s laws on Vote411.org or RocktheVote.org and, if you’re eligible, register or pre-register to vote. Encourage your friends to do the same.

• Lead a voter registration drive: Rally your friends and classmates and create a culture of civic engagement in your school. Organizations such as New Voters and The Civics Center offer personal mentorship, funding and ‘Democracy in a Box’ kits to get you started. You may be eligible to receive awards and recognition from your state government and these organizations for running a drive!

• Become a poll worker: Play a direct role in the democratic process — and even get paid for it! Resources such as 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to Building a Youth Pollworker Project' can guide you on how to become involved, and the National Association of Secretaries of State can connect you with your state’s elections website.

• Host a mock election or teach-in: This can be a fun and engaging way to get your peers interested in politics. Use interactive tools such as VerifyIt!, designed by LWV of Alameda County, or NewsFeed Defenders, developed by iCivics, to teach lessons on civic engagement, voter laws, and media literacy.

• Continue to educate yourself and others: Understand the barriers to voting and how they affect young people with Understanding Youth Civic Engagement - CIRCLE. Share this knowledge with your peers to empower them.

Remember, your involvement can dramatically change the political landscape. You have the power to influence policies and elect leaders that will shape your future. Stand up, get involved, and make the 2024 elections a turning point for youth turnout. Your vote is your voice — make it count!

By the New Voters Collaborative

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Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue

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