Project 555
Civic & Social Organization - Camden, New Jersey, United States
Project 555 Employees
Project 555 Details
Project 555: Youth Voter Engagement is a student-led, nonpartisan, virtual voter registration and education initiative targeting High School seniors.Our goal is to reach out to every public high school (509 in total) and 46 of the largest private high schools in NJ; providing resources to educate high school seniors about the voting process including how to register to vote, how to register to vote by mail and what the voting process is like. We hope not only to educate students for the short-term but inspire them to become life-long voters.We believe that every voice matters and that casting a ballot is one of the most effective ways with which to express one's voice. We also recognize that many voting-aged individuals do not agree with this core belief. Many view voting as inconsequential, thinking that their singular ballot will not make a difference while others rightfully feel disenfranchised. We want to change both of these narratives.Youth voter engagement statistics continue to lag behind other U.S. populations. We want our elected officials to be representative of the ideologies shared by their constituency. Generation Z is now the largest generation; increasing voter turnout amongst the 18 to 29 voter population is a necessary step in ensuring that our elected officials are adequately representative. Most importantly, we believe that youth voters spawn fresh ideas into politics that help positively shape legislation and governance. Though historic highs in the 2018 midterm elections are to be celebrated, the reality remains that youth voter engagement is overtly challenging. Now with COVID-19 and the real possibility of virtual classes throughout the state, that challenge has multiplied exponentially. Much of the direct contact with students has diminished as organizations quickly scrambled to find virtual alternatives. We are looking to be an additional necessary resource for all of the ongoing voter registration/education efforts throughout NJ.
