September 12, 2024

53 Days Until Election Day (11/05/24)

The NextGen America team is actively engaged across several states, including Arizona, Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Nevada, Virginia, New Hampshire, and Texas, both on the ground and online, to empower young voters and ensure their voices are heard. NextGen is organizing innovative events that bridge pop culture with civic education, ranging from “that’s that free espresso” to “hot to vote” tabling, as well as organizing pickup basketball games and friendship bracelet making. This summer, our teams have seen the enthusiasm of young people surge, with many approaching eagerly to update their voter registration or seeking information on how to vote in November.

🤝On the Ground🤝

Voter Registration Numbers

• As of August 30, NextGen has registered over 74,000 voters and secured over 93,000 Pledges To Vote across Arizona, Michigan, North Carolina, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia

Welcome Week Recap

Last week, NextGen America wrapped up our electrifying Welcome Week events, energizing students on over 100 college campuses across eight states. Our team of organizers hosted dynamic voter registration events, empowering young people with the tools and knowledge they need to make a powerful impact in the upcoming elections.

NGA Phoenix team tabling in the free speech zone on the ASU Tempe campus to register students to vote, collect PTVs, and give out free coffee at “It’s that free espresso” event.

NGA South Texas team tabling at the The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Involvement Fair, with “Vaqueros vote, v’s up” sign.

NGA Philly team tabling at Temple University campus to register students to vote, collect PTVs, and make friendship bracelets with “You’ve got a friend in me” event.

NGA Durham team tabling at University of New Hampshire’s UDay resource fair and block party to register voters and collect pledges to vote.

Philly Youth Classic Recap

Last Friday, NextGen America, in partnership with More Than A Run, The Philly Download, Shoot Basketballs Not People, and Philly Youth Basketball, hosted a dynamic pickup basketball youth classic at the Sixth-Man Center in north Philadelphia. The event featured top high school athletes, a live DJ, food trucks, and professional basketball coaching, while NextGen organizers engaged attendees about the importance of voting and assisted with registration as part of our Men’s Voter Power (MVP) campaign.

NextGen America organizers are joined by Philadelphia 76ers cheerleaders at the Youth Classic Basketball Game

💻Online💻

Volunteer shifts✅

• Since the start of the cycle to the middle of August, NextGen America’s distributed teams have made 671,459 phone calls and sent 2,254,637 texts to young people encouraging them to register to vote.
• This work was done by our incredible distributed team and 1,659 unique volunteers who completed 8,514 volunteer shifts.

Volunteer Spotlight 🔦

Meet Nancy Weninger (she/her) Text Team Captain from the text team!

Nancy’s favorite part of volunteering is working with amazing colleagues in a supportive community to have a positive and powerful impact on election outcomes.

Leaders Lab🧠

58 students started the Leaders Lab program last week, our student training and professional development program! They represent 25 universities across 6 of our program states. Student Leaders learned about organizing foundations last week and set goals for the program. This week, students are learning about telling their personal stories, leading up to a project where they will submit written or video stories. We’re so excited to train these students and introduce them to NextGen!

Photo of some students from the Leaders Lab orientation call. When asked what motivated them to join NextGen as a Student Leader, one student said “…with my parents being immigrants and being the oldest child, I had to go through [the voting] process alone, so I am excited to be a support system for others like me and provide encouragement that they might not be getting at home.”

Creator Corner📸

• ypk.raye, “Are you voting!!”
• cocoplustwins, “You know what’s hotter than my photos? VOTING!!! Understanding that your votes can impact your society and lead to tremendous changes is very important. I implore us all to vote because at its core, voting is the cornerstone of democracy. It’s a mechanism through which we, as citizens, actively participate in the decision-making process.”

✨Young Voter Spotlight✨

Juno Fi, 18, they/them, freshman at Arizona State University

Juno, a first-time voter, is deeply motivated by a commitment to anti-fascism, anti-racism, and the protection of women’s rights. They believe that everyone deserves access to basic necessities — such as healthcare, housing, and education — regardless of their background or circumstances. Juno supports working to create a more just and equitable society.

The decline in women’s rights, particularly with the loss of legal abortion nationwide, is a major concern for Juno. They strongly believe that women should have the right to make their own choices regarding their bodies and reproductive health. In their view, childbirth is a deeply personal decision that should never be forced upon anyone. Juno also places a high priority on trans rights, advocating for policies that protect and uplift marginalized communities.

Juno is enthusiastic about the role their generation plays in shaping the future of Arizona.

Despite the challenges their generation faces, Juno feels hopeful about the future. They see the growing democratic engagement of their peers as a positive force that can bring about meaningful change. Juno believes that their generation is ready to take on the challenges ahead and is eager to see how their collective voice will shape the direction of Arizona and the country as a whole.

Don’t miss out on the latest updates from the NextGen America team. Sign up here to receive our weekly ICYMI in your inbox and be the first to know what NextGen has been up to!