Building Youth Engagement in Democracy Goes Beyond Voting

The inauguration of a new president at the federal level is always a time for reflection. As a young woman pursuing a master’s degree in politics, I’ve lived through five previous inaugurations, but my earliest memory as a five year-old is of seeing Barack Obama’s swearing-in. The new president is his opposite in many ways. But this moment shows Americans how powerful their votes are.
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In Ohio, young people could be forgiven for thinking that older generations are intent on silencing our electoral voice. Last year our state house passed a restrictive voter ID law that my previous cohort of students worked hard to overturn. The law hurt students, particularly, because young voters who wanted to vote at their university address needed their ID to reflect that address, rather than their parents’. The law also affected older residents, those without a driver’s license, and Ohioans with disabilities.
As a member of a young women’s political organization, IGNITE, I feel particularly strongly about making sure that everybody’s vote counts fairly towards the outcome of elections. So, I also have deep concerns about redistricting in the state. Last year Issue 1, an important anti-gerrymandering measure for Ohio, failed to pass when brought up to the public by means of a citizen-led ballot initiative. The initiative aimed to establish an independent redistricting commission to combat the manipulation of district boundaries to favor either party.
Ohio is currently considered one of the most gerrymandered states in the U.S. The Ohio Supreme Court even deemed the current maps to be unconstitutional, yet they remain in use. I’m so disappointed that Ohio’s electorate has struck down this piece of legislation multiple times, because it would have made districts in Ohio more fair, but the defeat of Issue 1 is only a setback. There’s always more work to be done, and I believe that the future of democracy relies on everyone participating in the civic process. That is about more than just voting. It’s about deepening civic engagement on a number of fronts and we must all work together to make that happen.
The civic process goes beyond simply casting a ballot; it involves understanding the issues at stake and actively participating in our communities. After Election Day in November,, Google searches spiked for the phrase “can I change my vote?,” which suggests that we have a very long way to go on this front.
Community building happens from the ground up, and so does letting our voices be known.
I spent many hours in the recent election cycle mobilizing voters and educating my peers about all things civics-related. Civic organizations like IGNITE provide a place for individuals to collaborate with others and advocate for causes they care about, ultimately improving the welfare of their communities. College campuses also offer other structured environments for students to get involved with civic organizations, which aren’t all related to politics and government. These organizations are diverse, and may look like anything from Greek life to intramural pickleball teams. Even in these nonpolitical settings, students learn important skills like how to plan events and recruit membership, which are important organizational and leadership skills. By cultivating these skills in college, new grads are more prepared to use those skills in their political participation to improve their communities.
Off-campus, those structured opportunities may be less accessible which is why we, as a society at large, need to highlight and invest in other civic and social organizations. 4-H clubs, scouts organizations, service clubs, religious youth groups and political organizations provide opportunities for young people to get involved in their communities. And like in the university setting, being involved in these sorts of activities better prepares individuals for electoral involvement.
Voter education is another critical aspect of civic engagement. Many people are unaware of the issues on the ballot or the impact of their votes. By providing clear and accessible information about candidates, policies and the electoral process, we can equip young people to make informed decisions and participate effectively in our democracy.
This fight for fair districts and more participation in politics is far from over. That’s what I learned this past year. Despite the current political landscape and polarization, it is crucial to encourage young people to become and remain engaged. I realize that for many young people, politics can feel disillusioning and remote from everyday realities. But we’re about to get a lesson in the power of our votes, over the next four years.
Community building happens from the ground up, and so does letting our voices be known. Our collective action and unwavering commitment to civic engagement is what will ultimately drive positive change. So what will you do to engage others in 2025? Will you share this article with the young people in your life? Will you encourage them to join civic and social organizations where they’ll find a welcoming community? Will you encourage them to vote in off-year elections? I hope you will.
Grace Edwards is a student at the University of Akron in Ohio and a Dr. Anne Moses fellow for IGNITE National