FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ashlynn@civicnation.org
Data Suggest Youth Enthusiasm Around Climate Action Could Make the Difference in Key Races
Washington, D.C. – Following the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, When We All Vote, a national, nonpartisan voting initiative founded by Michelle Obama, and a group of climate and community organizations, led by Climate Power, announced Vote Future, a new effort to boost youth voter participation in the 2022 midterm election. The joint nonpartisan campaign will educate young voters about the benefits of the Inflation Reduction Act, which is the most significant climate legislation ever passed in the U.S., and equip them with the tools to make their voices heard in November.
“When we look at everything happening in the world today, it’s clear that we need to turn our awareness into action to protect our environment,” said Liza Koshy, When We All Vote Co-Chair. “For years, Gen Z has been speaking up and speaking out for climate action, and now we’ll bring even more young people into the conversation both in their communities and at the ballot box with Vote Future.”
“We know the power of youth voters in 2020 led to the biggest investment in climate action in history,” said Stephanie L. Young, Executive Director of When We All Vote. “When We All Vote is dedicated to doing our part to ensure every youth voter is ready to use their voice to create the change they need to succeed.”
“Young people will determine the outcome of this November’s midterms,” said Lori Lodes, Executive Director of Climate Power. “With passage of the Inflation Reduction Act’s historic investments in climate action, we have an unprecedented opportunity to motivate young people to turn out to the polls. This campaign will educate them about the Inflation Reduction Act’s climate benefits and give them the tools they need to make their voices heard.”
The groups launched VoteFuture.org, a central hub for organizing that will allow voters to check their voter registration, find their polling location, and take a pledge to vote in the 2022 election. They also announced plans to rally with When We All Vote and special celebrity guests on September 19th, right before National Voter Registration Day on September 20th. The groups will continue to direct young voters to the site through digital organizing and paid media through the election in November.
Young voters have the power to move elections when they make their voices heard. According to Tufts University Research, from 2014 to 2018, youth voter turnout increased from 14 percent to 28 percent. In 2020, Joe Biden made tackling climate change his closing message and young voters helped to deliver him the presidency with 52-55 percent of eligible voters between the ages of 18-29 voting for him, compared to just 42-44 percent for Hillary Clinton in 2016.
Partners include Union of Concerned Scientists, Poder Latinx, Black Oak Collective, Rise St. James, ReEarth Initiative, Black Girls Surf, Girl + Environment, Black Girl Environmentalist, Up To Us, Georgia Wand, AZ AANHPI for Equity, Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance – AFL-CIO, Next Step Up, Times For Better, Plastic Free Fridays, NC Interfaith Power & Light, Clean Energy For America, Green Latinos, Team Enough, Corazon Latino, Families for a Future, Climate Reality Project, Climate Action Campaign, AZ AANHPI For Equity, One Up Action, and Climate Cardinals.
ABOUT When We All Vote:
When We All Vote is a leading national, nonpartisan initiative on a mission to change the culture around voting and to increase participation in each and every election by helping to close the race and age gap. Created by Michelle Obama, When We All Vote brings together individuals, institutions, brands, and organizations to register new voters across the country and advance civic education for the entire family and voters of every age to build an informed and engaged electorate for today and generations to come. We empower our supporters and volunteers to take action through voting, advocating for their rights, and holding their elected officials accountable.
In 2020, When We All Vote ran a robust, multifaceted campaign and reached more than 100 million people to educate them about the voting process and get them registered and ready to vote. The initiative also led in voter education, registration, and volunteer engagement and as a result, 512,000 people started or completed the voter registration process, and nearly 500 media, corporate, and nonprofit partners joined its efforts.
Michelle Obama launched When We All Vote in 2018 and is joined by fellow Co-Chairs Stephen Curry, Becky G, Selena Gomez, Tom Hanks, H.E.R., Liza Koshy, Jennifer Lopez, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Janelle Monae, Chris Paul, Megan Rapinoe, Shonda Rhimes, Bretman Rock, Kerry Washington, and Rita Wilson.
When We All Vote is an initiative of Civic Nation, a 501(c)(3) organization, and works with Civic Nation Action, a 501(c)(4). Learn more here.
ABOUT Civic Nation:
Civic Nation is a nonprofit ecosystem for high-impact organizing and education initiatives working to build a more inclusive and equitable America. Civic Nation shifts culture, systems, and policy by bringing together individuals, grassroots organizers, industry leaders and influencers to tackle some of our nation’s most pressing social challenges. Civic Nation is home to seven national initiatives and campaigns: ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, Change Collective, It’s On Us, Online for All, SAVE On Student Debt, We The Action, and When We All Vote. Learn more here.