Meet the 18-Year-Old Who Registered 250 People to Vote

Millennials and Gen Z are taking over as the largest group of eligible voters in the country, and we’re mobilizing at record numbers ahead of the midterm election on November 6.

The student activism following the Parkland shooting kickstarted a national movement and amplified the existing work of student-led organizations working for gun violence prevention, climate action, racial justice, and more. Young people took to the streets in mass numbers to protest inaction from politicians on issues that adversely affect us. And young people of all political leanings are registering to vote at higher rates than ever before, thanks in large part to voter registration efforts from DoSomething members and students around the country.

“I think a lot of people see voting through a glass mirror or as something that is very distant, since Washington, DC is so far away,” says 18-year-old DoSomething member Monique Ray, who registered over 250 people to vote in her community this summer. “People need to recognize that government affects all aspects of our life, and local government is just as important as state and federal government.”

Monique set up a series of voter registration drives in South San Francisco, collaborating with teachers at El Camino High School and local community colleges. In an attempt to make voting more relatable and engaging for her classmates, Monique drew crowds by using music, bubbles, and photo booths. This interactive component made for a more approachable display and a more enjoyable experience for potential participants.

Encouraging young people to be involved was Monique's primary goal, but that wasn’t always easy to do. At her high school, Monique found many students’ lack of interest in voting to be connected with a lack of information about how an election -- even on the local level -- has a direct impact on their lives. Instead of being discouraged, Monique learned how to tailor her drives to a younger audience.

“It just takes being patient and also being passionate to inform people and educate them, rather than passing some sort of judgment on them,” Monique says.

After participating in her local Youth In Government program, Monique became particularly invested in voter registration, believing in the positive impact her peers could make on her community. Taking every opportunity to inspire change, she teamed up with city officials to create the South San Francisco Youth Advisory Council. The initiative expands upon Monique’s successes with youth registration, and allows young people in the city to be active and make their voices heard on issues that may otherwise be overlooked.

All around the country, young people are showing a dedicated interest in democracy. Students like Monique are taking action to show their peers that voting is one of the most important things a person can do to help build a community that feels safe, inclusive, and appreciative of its citizens. There’s no limit to what young people can accomplish when we feel empowered to make a change. The Youth Wave is a lasting movement that will continue to grow, thanks to the inspiring work of students like Monique, who believe in the power of young voters.

“I want to just encourage all youth to not be afraid, to be fearless," she says.