Chicago Youth VoteFest!
University of Chicago (UChicago)
About the Youth VoteFest! Series
The University of Chicago Institute of Politics will host Youth VoteFests during the Republican and Democratic National Conventions this year to equip youth voting and policy organizers with the skills they need to have an impact and make a difference in their communities. Students, first-time voters and early career voter engagement organizers will convene with us and our partner, the Students Learn Students Vote Coalition, to share nonpartisan best practices for voter engagement, registration and turnout while exploring our collective civic responsibilities. Our convention events in Milwaukee and Chicago will feature high-profile guests, artists, podcast recordings and voter engagement experts to underscore the role and power that young people have in this fall’s election.
About Chicago Youth VoteFest!
Join us in our hometown as we convene students from around the country for voter engagement workshops to help young leaders inform their peers about their voting options and overcome barriers to casting ballots. In the evening, we will hear from keynote speakers and civic-minded artists about the power of student mobilization. We'll bring a taste of Chicago's top-notch food scene while going deep on youth voting. *The evening portion of the day will be open to the public with pre-registration.
Youth VoteFest Happy Hour with Live Podcast Recording and Keynote Address
This portion of the day is open to the public.
4:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Join us for apps, drinks, local music and a live podcast recording featuring young organizers working to mobilize the next generation of voters. We’ll unpack what issues are driving young people to the polls and what we voting trends can expect from this group in the fall. Keep an eye on your email and follow us on social media (@uchipolitcs) as we’ll be announcing our special guests throughout the summer. This portion of Youth VoteFest is open to the public with pre-registration.
Featured Speakers
A famed member of the "Tennessee Three," Representative Justin J. Pearson, who was once expelled from office for protesting gun violence, is the second-youngest member of the Tennessee General Assembly who currently represents part of Memphis. Prior to public service, Pearson co-founded the environmental and climate justice nonprofit Memphis Community Against the Pollution.
Youth Voter Engagement Workshop
For students, young adults (age 17 - 28), and adults who work in youth voter activism only.
3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Students Learn Students Vote Coalition will lead a voter engagement workshop focused on developing strategies to help campus and local organizers inform their communities, overcome barriers to entry, promote voter registration and turn out the youth vote. This portion of the day is open only to students, young adults (age 17 - 28), and adults who work in youth voter activism.
Building Inclusive Campus Voting Coalitions to Ask Every Student
In this session, attendees will create concrete plans to build or expand their nonpartisan campus voting coalitions. Whether you have a longstanding coalition or are starting one from scratch, join this session to hear best practices, discuss with peer leaders, and workshop tangible steps you can take towards creating or strengthening your campus community’s nonpartisan student voting coalition, based on the Ask Every Student initiative’s Coalition Building Curriculum.
Civic Celebrations: How to Make Democracy Fun and Celebratory
When campuses integrate fun, culturally relevant, and celebratory events into their democratic engagement efforts, they can reach and empower more students to be active participants in our democracy. Whether it’s around Civic Holidays such as National Voter Registration Day, National Voter Education Week, and Vote Early Day, or just randomly throughout the year, campuses have many opportunities to make the democratic process something fun that brings the whole community together. In this session, we’ll hear from experts with real experience planning events that engage students in fun, creative, and memorable ways while participants brainstorm their own plans for 2024.
Messaging in Polarized Times
Young people and college students have the ability to have a huge impact on elections up and down the ballot in 2024. In this session, presenters will give an overview of the #2024 StudentVote Messaging Toolkit which includes messaging on the role and significance of local elections where student votes can make the most immediate difference and guidance on how to navigate a polarizing election cycle while remaining nonpartisan. The session will also draw on the Ask Every Student Toolkit’s Conversation Guide for insights on how to effectively convey nonpartisan messaging in peer-to-peer settings.
