The Social Work Democracy Project, a 501(c)3 nonprofit and nonpartisan organization created to encourage social workers to step up our civic engagement in the wake of increasing threats to destabilize and end democracy as we know it in the United States, is embarking on a project to send social work students and recent graduates to schools in battleground states to motivate their students to work to get young voters to the polls. Although the excitement that Vice President Kamala Harris has engendered since replacing President Biden as the Democrats’ standard bearer has shown some movement among Gen Z voters, there are still questions about their participation in November’s Presidential election and their willingness to go to the polls to vote for candidates at all levels of government. Their voices need to be heard.
It’s important to note that this effort is resolutely nonpartisan. We understand that some colleagues may question the wisdom of a nonpartisan effort when so much is at stake in the upcoming election. However, our goal is to encourage as many young voters as possible to go to the polls and vote, regardless of their political leanings. Our nonpartisan approach ensures that all students feel included and respected and that schools are not engaging in partisan political activities. Many of our campaign’s students and young social workers have participated in CRISP events designed to enhance their advocacy skills. This will be an opportunity to put those skills into practice. They will return home with many stories to tell.
This is a unique opportunity for social workers to help shape the future for the next generation. We have set up a GoFundMe account to raise funds to support this effort. We aim to raise at least $10,000 for transportation, meals, and lodging if needed. We will create tee shirts and caps with the message: “My Voice Will Be Heard.” We plan to visit Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada schools. We will visit as many schools willing to allow us as our resources permit. If you are a dean, you will hear from us shortly. We plan to send at least a pair of students to each school. In the spirit of leading by example, I am pledging $1,000 and have contributed $600 thus far to kick-start our campaign.
Young voters hold the power to reshape the country and steer us away from the divisive politics that have plagued us for too long. Their participation in the upcoming election could be a game-changer. Estimates show that 8 million young people will be eligible to vote in 2024, bringing Gen Z voters to 41 million. Forty-five percent will be young voters of color. More Gen Z voters (78%) believe it is essential to address systemic racism than baby boomers (60%). They were the only generational cohort to rank abortion and reproductive health (29%) as their most salient issue compared to millennials (18%), Gen Xers (13%), and baby boomers (8%). They were more likely to view climate change as a critical concern (73%) than baby boomers (56%).
While millions more young voters are eligible yearly, some age out of the category. Others may move and must register again. The percentage of registered young voters depends heavily on registering newly eligible voters. There is a concern about lagging registration among Gen Z voters. An analysis of youth voter registrations finds that most states are far behind their 2020 registration levels. Only five states have more young voters (ages 18-29) registered in 2024 than they did in 2020. That process is ongoing, and efforts are being made to begin voter engagement in high schools. CRISP has received a proposal from Serena Pallan, a high school junior, to create a Youth Advocacy group for high school students.
You’ve heard the words before that democracy is not a spectator activity. It works when everyone participates and lets their voices be heard. Many young people in our nation are jaded about civic engagement and voting because they do not see how they can influence policy. With your help, we plan to spread the message of hope, optimism, and determination. President Obama energized young voters with his message of “Yes, we can.” We want young voters to believe that their voices can and will be heard if they exercise their right to be heard. Many were willing to sit out the 2024 election and hope for better choices in 2028. The time to act is now. Our CRISP Fellow Robyn Tidwell will be helping to coordinate this effort by connecting with existing efforts to reach young voters like David Hogg’s Leaders We Deserve organization.
Please contribute to our GoFundMe effort. We need your support. No contribution is too small.