Beyond Voting: What Else Youth Can Do in the 2024 Elections

By Sam Piha

The 2024 election offers a number of opportunities to engage older youth. These opportunities go beyond voting. (This blog is an excerpt from our recently released briefing paper entitled, How Can Afterschool Programs Promote Civic Engagement and the Youth Vote in 2024.)

Serve as a Voting Captain
“This is someone who volunteers to get-out-the-vote by talking to their friends and family about making a voting plan. This is a quick, easy and covid-safe volunteer opportunity to get out the vote. Studies have shown that talking to friends and family is the most effective way to increase voter turnout.” [i]

Serve as a Political Campaign Volunteer
Supporting a campaign may involve an important issue or a candidate. Youth can:

• Volunteer on a local, state, or national political campaign
• Attend a campaign event with a family member
• Talk to those who are eligible to vote about your preferred candidates, what they stand for, and why it matters to you.

Serve as a Poll Worker
“Poll workers are critical to the success of an election. Having an adequate number of poll workers to staff polling places on and before Election Day can ensure voters receive the assistance they need at the polls and can help provide a positive and smooth voting experience for all. By signing up to be a poll worker, you can Help America Vote. 

Source: Grow the Vote

While specific duties and compensation vary depending on location, poll workers are the face of the election office during voting. Most jurisdictions task election workers with setting up and preparing the polling location, welcoming voters, verifying voter registrations, and issuing ballots. Poll workers also help ensure voters understand the voting process by demonstrating how to use voting equipment and explaining voting procedures.” [ii]

Click here to learn a few important steps poll workers can take to ensure they are ready for Election Day. Click here to learn more about becoming a poll worker in the future, for more information on being a poll worker in your community and how to sign up.

END NOTES
[i] Turnout Nation, Become a Voting Captain
[ii] U.S. Election Assistance Commission, Poll Worker Resources for Voters 

To learn more about this event, sponsored by the Ever Forward Club, click here.