This fall, Gen Z, Americans who are between the ages of 18-23, will make up one-in-ten eligible voters. However, younger voters traditionally turn out to vote at lower rates than their older counterparts. In an effort to reverse this historical trend, Breakthrough is encouraging civic engagement among our students and alumni in the coming months as we approach critical local, state and federal elections.
Here’s what we’ve done so far to #GetOutTheVote:
- Created a Staff Civic Engagement Working Group to address short- and long-term civic engagement goals in advising, programming, and advocacy
- Launched a Bilingual Breakthrough Community Voter Information Website with the support and work of two student volunteers and teaching alum
- Hosted Staff as well as Student and Family Voter Information Sessions with partner Mi Familia Vota
- Integrated voter information into advising and follow up for eligible students
- Collaborated with Civic Engagement-focused organizations such as Texas Rising, Generation Citizen, and Mi Familia Vota, to support a diverse coalition of voters to register and enact their power at the ballot box
Our newly established policy advocacy practice has quickly become a critical strategy. And, as we look ahead to the coming months, showing our students how to advocate for themselves is integral to their success in college and beyond. We invite you and your networks to join us to #GetOutTheVote by sharing our social media posts and encouraging others to go out and vote!