About Us
18by Vote creates sustainable civic leadership among young people who have been historically excluded from positions of leadership and power. Founded in response to low youth voter turnout in the 2016 General election, we have since activated hundreds of thousands of young people across the country to engage civically.
01
Mission
18by Vote is a nonpartisan, youth-led organization that helps 16, 17, and 18-year-olds understand how, when, and why to vote.
02
Vision
18by Vote envisions an America where every young person has equitable access to civic participation.
03
Values
18by Vote is developing a model of effective and momentous youth organizing that is truly led by young people.
"Youth, such as myself, are our democracy’s present and future. As Gen Z makes up the most ethnically and racially diverse generation yet, to ensure democracy adequately represents our country’s population, young people must be uplifted in places of decision-making and in positions of leadership."
Ava Mateo, Executive Director of 18by Vote
Our story and impact
Founded in response to low youth voter turnout in the 2016 General election, we have since activated hundreds of thousands of young people across the country to engage civically. In fact, our inaugural class of 25 Civic Engagement Fellows reached over 60,000 young people across the country. Moreover, we catalyzed youth voter turnout by launching one of the first Rapid Response Task-forces geared for the Georgia Senate runoff election.
During the last federal election, we reached over 1.3 million people via our cumulative voter registration and education efforts. We operate with what we call a “hyper-localized” approach to civic engagement meaning we work with young people across the country to engage their local communities civically. By focusing on the local, our impact is deep, and by addressing the nation, our reach is wide.
This year, we are developing and executing a model of effective and momentous youth organizing that is truly led by young people. By 2025, we aim to have a direct network of over 500 youth who have been given the resources and knowledge to be active and conscious participants in their communities.
Key Features
UNTAPPED DEMOGRAPHIC
Every 2 years, 7 million Americans turn 18 and become eligible to vote. If 18 and 19-year-olds voted at the same rate as other Americans, we’d have more than 750,000 additional voters in off-year elections and over 1.5 million additional voters in the next presidential election.
CREATE LIFELONG VOTERS
Studies show that when people become civically engaged at a young age, they are more likely to continue to be engaged as they get older.
YOUTH-LED
SUSTAINABLE IMPACT
DATA-INFORMED
Make a plan to vote
If you’ll be 18 by the next election, you can vote. Make your voice heard!
voting is important
Questions And Answers
Absolutely, yes! Your vote can make an impact in all elections, but it especially counts at the local level as local election outcomes are often determined by only a few votes.
You can register to vote right here on the 18by Vote website. Visit our Voter Hub for all your voting resources!
If you are 16- or 17 years-old you may be able to pre-register to vote! Eligibility varies by state. Our preregistration page will be available soon. In the meantime, make your voice heard by using social media, organize voter registration drives, attend protests and marches, and contact your representatives.
Visit Ballotpedia to see your sample ballot.
Visit vote.org to find your polling place.
Most states require some kind of ID to vote. Click here to find out what your state requires.
Vote by mail laws vary by state. Use our tool to see if you are eligible to request an absentee ballot.
- You can run a voter registration/education drive
- You can contact your local representatives about issues you care about
- You can sign up to be a poll worker
- You can attend your school board meetings OR run for your local school board
- You can learn how to speak with people who have different opinions than you do
