Our democracy works best when we all participate and everyone weighs in on who gets elected.
We believe that the full participation of young people in the political process is essential to a truly representative, vibrant democracy. Together young people have the power to elect the next generation of leaders who will fight for our shared vision of the future, but only if we vote.
CONNPIRG’s New Voters Project works on campuses across the state to activate the largest voting block in the country. Through class presentations, educational events, and online outreach we work to make sure every student has the opportunity to have their voice heard in our elections.
Together we can have an impact on our future, on our state, and the country.
The Youth Wave
Our voter registration drive is the largest youth mobilization effort in the state of CT. Our campaign has gotten recognition from the Secretary of State’s office because of our work to help register students and give them the resources to get to the polls. We focus on meeting students where they are at- in their classes, dorm rooms and dining halls, and have one on one conversations to make sure they get their voice heard in all elections. We organized big events on campus leading up to Election Day like our “Ballot Ready Block Party” at UConn Storrs that had over 200 attendees. PIRG leaders also reached students through social media with their “I’m a Husky, I’m a Voter” video that featured campus leaders discussing the importance of voting. The video has been viewed over 2,000 times and features U.S Senator Chris Murphy!
Both in the 2016 presidential election and the 2018 midterm election we saw increases at the polls at student heavy precincts. In the past two election cycled alone we have helped to register over 5,000 students.
2020 Summary
We’re proud that during the 2020 election cycle, in spite of a pandemic, our student-powered team worked at college campuses across the state to increase the youth vote from 2016 levels and give thousands of student leaders a crash course in organizing and activism.
Preliminary results from the 2020 election are already showing historic voter turnout nearing 150 million votes cast, including record levels of participation by young voters. Data from the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) estimates that based on votes counted as of November 6, 49%-51% of voting-eligible young people, ages 18-29, cast a ballot in the 2020 presidential election. This represents a 5 to 10 point increase over the 2016 cycle. We are so proud of our student leaders for being part of this historic moment for youth participation.
Along with increasing voter turnout, student leaders also sent an important message to leaders: young people vote. We are excited to build on the momentum and continue to develop cultures of civic engagement with our campus partners. It’s a culture where new voters can easily participate in democracy, where any young person can receive the training they need to effectively organize their peers, and where young people voting in big numbers is not historic but the new normal.
Register to Vote or Update Your Registration: StudentVote.org