The Youth Wave Is Coming

For years, politicians have ignored young people and the issues that matter to us. In 2018, young people said enough is enough.

The student activism borne out of 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. Young people of all political leanings are registering to vote at higher rates than ever before. Not only that, we are turning out to vote in historic numbers to elect officials that recognize our priorities.

This year, one thing has become apparent. Young people have demonstrated that we are united in seeking one thing: change.

Powering the Youth Movement Forward

For 25 years, DoSomething.org has believed in the power of every young person to transform their communities. This year, DoSomething members have demonstrated yet again the extraordinary impact young people can achieve. To date, DoSomething and its members have registered upwards of 100,000 voters this year alone, with 75% of those registrants falling into the 18-25 age demographic. In the week of National Voter Registration Day (September 25), we registered more voters than we did in all of 2016 combined.

Along with voter registration partnerships from a a coalition of celebrities, influencers, and brands, members like you have run incredible voter registration drives online and in your schools, registering thousands of other young people to vote in these crucial elections. Young people like us are powering a movement to the polls, and we're moving our country toward a better future.

This year, we also launched the first-ever National Absentee Ballot Day. In 2016, 40% of ballots were cast before Election Day, through early and absentee voting, absentee votes have literally decided elections, yet not many fully understand the process or this legitimate method for making your voice heard. Continuing our commitment to ensuring that young people have all the tools we need to register, vote, and help our friends, National Absentee Ballot Day celebrates absentee voters and helps young people who need it to request their ballots.

The Youth Wave Is Here

DoSomething has registered upwards of 100,000 voters and is mobilizing over 6 million members around the country to get out the vote. Gen Z and Millennials represent over 49 million eligible voters (the largest voting bloc in the country) and on November 6, we’re going to unleash our power at the polls.

Pledge to vote. We’ll send you everything you need to make your voice heard on November 6, including election reminders, (nonpartisan, objective) candidate information, and your polling location. You’ll even get to make an Election Day plan entirely over text.

To the people who think we’re too naive to have an opinion. Who think we’re too young to make a difference. Who think our voices don’t matter. Who think we won’t vote on November 6. Watch out: The Youth Wave is here. Let’s Do This.