2014 Congressional Elections Elections Matter Booklet | Page 13

Get Young People Involved In recent years, young people have worked hard to reverse trends of declining youth participation in elections. They forged new organizations and new strategies to get people involved in electoral activities as soon as they are eligible to vote. Even if they are not yet eligible to vote, young people can be a powerful force for change. Their participation in the fight against hunger is essential. Here are just a few things young people can do to help: • • • • • • • Joseph Molieri/Bread for the World Conduct voter registrations for people who just turned 18. Write letters or make visits to members of Congress. Hold mock elections at church or school. Offer child care while voters go to the polls. Volunteer at campaign offices. Help get people to the polls on Election Day. Volunteer as a poll worker in states where it is permissible. These resources may help with youth outreach. • Rock the Vote (rockthevote.org) • MTV - Power of 12 (powerof12.org) Organize a Voter Registration Drive Citizens in the United States rank last among the world’s developed nations for voter participation. In the last presidential election of 2012, only 57.5 percent of the electorate went to the polls. This was lower than 2008’s level of participation. Yet the process for registering to vote is far simpler now than it was several decades ago. Voter registration drives can improve these low participation rates. If possible, voter registrations should be conducted separately from voter-education activities, even if you are educating voters about all of 13