Getting Out the Youth Vote

With the Millennial generation growing into the largest in history, there’s no doubt that one way or the other, young people will make a difference in this election. And from celebrity concerts to Tumblr dashboards, organizations across the country are appealing to young voters in hopes of inspiring them to cast their ballots. Here’s a roundup of some of the best GOTV efforts we’ve seen recently:

Rock the Vote One of the most star-studded GOTV outfits out there, Rock the Vote has been registering young voters at the “intersection of pop culture and politics” for 21 years. Catch their stylish #WeWill videos with the likes of Miley Cyrus and Darren Criss on their website, rockthevote.com.

#GoVote In the week leading up to the election, hundreds of artists nationwide created unique images using the tag #govote. Encourage your friends to vote by sharing the huge selection of original images, which you can find at govote.org.

MTV Power of 12 Built to “unleash the exponential power of the Millennial generation in the 2012 elections and beyond,” MTV’s election hub breaks down the big issues and helps you inform yourself on the candidates, all while simplifying the voting process. Check them out at powerof12.org.

Power Vote A project of the Energy Action Coalition, Power Vote seeks to bring together young, grassroots energy activists to demand clean energy and climate action. Take the Power Vote Challenge at powervote.org.

Voto Latino Fun fact: Voto Latino was founded by in 2004 by actress Rosario Dawson and friends. With an emphasis on the growing Latino population, Voto Latino seeks to mobilize Latino youth and their families to take action on policies that impact their lives. Check out their election center at votolatino.org.

I’m Voting For… A project of Campus Progress Action and Pushback.org, “I’m Voting For...” asks young people around the country to submit videos explaining what issues are driving them to the polls this election. Submit your own video or see what hundreds of other young folks are voting for at imvotingfor.org.

It’s My Vote A great resource for lady voters, Its My Vote is brought to you the American Association of University Women. Watch pep talks from cool women and send them a picture of your voting shoes on their Tumblr.

Hoodie Vote Not just a sweatshirt company, Hoodie Vote is a grassroots movement to remember Trayvon Martin this Election Day. Vote Mob and Black Youth Vote are encouraging young folks to vote in their hoodies to break the stereotypes that led to Trayvon’s death. Find them on Facebook, where you can get a hoodie of your own.

Trick or Vote Maybe you’re a little old for trick or treating, but you’re never to old to trick or vote! Costumed volunteers knock on doors and forgo the candy to encourage community members to make it to the polls just days after Halloween. “Scare out the vote” at trickorvote.org.

Our Time For the young entrepreneur in you, Our Time bridges the gap between the voting and purchasing power of young Americans. Check out their Buy Young marketplace, and watch some of their great celeb videos (Larry David, y’all) at ourtime.org.

Campus Vote Project Sometimes, in order to make change, you need to change your campus culture. Campus Vote Project, a project of the Fair Elections Legal Network, provides young people with tools to make their campus community more accessible for young voters by breaking down the barriers to student voting. Download their toolkit at campusvoteproject.com.

Queer the Vote LGBT people and allies make up a large and diverse voting bloc in our country, and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is asking you to stand with them this election season. Download their 2012 Voter Guide at queerthevote.org.

Voting While Trans Many people face voter suppression due to new Voter ID laws, and the National Center for Transgender Equality is doing their best to educate poll workers and election officials on the voting rights of transgender people. Print out their Voting While Trans Checklist at votingwhiletrans.org.

Arrive with 5 Young People For is asking you to commit to bringing five others to the polls—family members, friends, coworkers, classmates, lovers, anyone. Grab your pals and help bring youth, people of color, women, seniors and persons with disabilities into the electoral process. Got your five? Take the pledge here.

Generational Alliance ‘Our Voice. Our Vision. Our Vote’ is the theme of the voter guide put together by the Generational Alliance, a strategic collaboration of 17 national youth organizations. Do you live in California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania or Texas? Be sure to grab their ten state voter guide at ourvoiceourvote.org.

Did we miss something? Let us know in the comments below!

Tara Kutz is a video communications associate at Campus Progress.

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