Civics & Swing States

Let’s Get Out the Vote!

This upcoming election is arguably the most important election of the lifetimes of young people around the world in relation to racial justice and climate change, and the communities most impacted by it--the same communities most impacted by COVID-19 and by racial injustice. So, let’s get out the vote!

The Civics & Swing States program is a free, 8-session program aimed at inspiring and mobilizing young people to spend time this Fall engaging in the 2020 election. It is developed and led by Jenny Cooper, Director of Environmental Education & Sustainability at The Northwest School (Seattle, WA). While designed with young people in mind, the program is open to all who are interested. Jenny has facilitated Civics & Swing States twice this year, totaling ~130 people, ranging in age from 12-79, and is excited for other folks to facilitate groups too.

Participants in the program will:

• Tangibly engage in the 2020 election by volunteering with an election-oriented organization (campaign, voter registration, etc.) of their choosing.

• Meet twice weekly on Zoom to engage in individual and group activities to:

  • Develop an understanding of how local/state/federal government and elections work, voter demographics in the US, voter suppression, swing states, and how the 2020 election will impact issues you care about (e.g., racial justice, climate change);

  • Have conversations with guest speakers who are elected and appointed government officials, candidates, policy advocates, etc.;

  • Explore our personal identities and histories and how they influence our understanding of and engagement in democracy in the US.

  • Learn how to be an effective volunteer with an elections-oriented organization.

Expectations

• Move through program materials with a cohort.

• Volunteer 3-5 hours per week for a voter registration organization or campaign on your own. (This could take the form of online engagement, phone calls, or texting, depending on the organization/campaign).

• Participants will need access to a computer, wifi, and phone.

Logistics

• Dates: September 23 - October 17, 2020 (through The Northwest School) or anytime with your own group.

• Meet twice weekly for 60-90 minutes

• Participants will volunteer independently on their own time or create Zoom cohorts to volunteer alongside.