Building a Bridge: Why Engaging Young People in Politics Matters

By Czaria Cole Valentine

When it comes to youth voter turnout, it's clear that while there have been significant gains in recent years during presidential elections, turnout in local elections is still quite low. In the 2016 presidential election, for example, youth voter turnout was approximately 39%, which was an improvement from prior years but still below that of older populations.

According to a National Civic League study, accessibility and time concerns often lead to low turnout for local elections. Compared to presidential election years, off-year local elections — such as school board races — can fall drastically, sometimes to as low as 10%. We must encourage ongoing civic engagement among young people throughout the year in order to maintain the energy created by presidential elections.

Studies show that young people who participate in their local communities are more likely to become active voters, demonstrating the enormous influence of youth in local politics. Imagine a teenager finding their voice by spearheading a community initiative, supporting a local cause, or working for a charity organization that caters to young people. These life-changing activities can ignite a passion for civic engagement that lasts a lifetime. I was that teenager who felt included in a place designed to give them a voice in their community.

Building bridges

A bridge across generations is created when politicians actively interact with these young leaders, listening to their perspectives and sharing their experiences. This is evident in groups like Generation Vote and Vote 16. Both aim to involve young people in politics and collaborate with the local government to bring about change. When civic education is introduced into the classroom, the youth are shown the skills they need to get involved in their communities. Jumping straight into national politics can be discouraging when a candidate doesn't make changes during their term.

Giving young people a voice

Whether choices are made by city councils or school boards, local politics affect the lives of young people. Local governments make decisions on school curriculum, public transportation, and even zoning regulations, which have an immediate impact on issues like neighborhood safety, employment opportunities, and educational quality. Vote 16 is an initiative that promotes lowering the voting age to 16 in local elections and is one example of how young people's involvement can be effective. This movement gives young people a voice in elections that directly affect their everyday lives. Presenting practical goals and objectives that foster genuine change in their local communities, local offices, and community boards allows young people to interact with the political system in a way that shows the fruits of their labor.

I was that teenager who felt included in a place designed to give them a voice in their community.

The youth who participate in local politics gain an understanding of the connections between local issues and national issues, which will help them vote with greater understanding in the upcoming presidential election. Through voter registration drives and civil rights challenges, the NAACP Youth and College Division has demonstrated how young activists can truly make an impact, and they will continue to guide future generations. By funding initiatives that involve young people in local politics throughout the year, we build a community of knowledgeable citizens capable of enacting change on a national level. To maintain the momentum between election cycles, we have to do a better job of fixing the communities we hold space in every day. The health of our democracy cannot wait every four years for people to want to see substantial change. As an educator would say, "It starts at home."

Czaria Cole Valentine is a Democracy Fellow in Texas, working with the NAACP to mobilize Black voters.