When San Diego Votes
By Elea Castiglione & My Fu
During this time of uprising, students have spearheaded the efforts to fix the injustices of our country. It has become clear that young people, nation-wide, have dedicated themselves to activism, politics, and actively educating themselves on social matters. Good news, you can accomplish every item just listed by voting and working to get others on board. Now more than ever, we must work to inspire people to utilize their vote as a method of activism. Together, our ambitions will be big and our voices loud.
When We All Vote - My School Votes, founded by Michelle Obama, has a goal of increasing voter registration and participation in elections nationwide. The campaign has recently piloted a new branch: My School Votes which is focused on registering high school students. Our goal as the San Diego WWAV MSV network is to register/pre-register our peers, educate other young people on the importance of voting, and inspire those around us to use voting as a mechanism for activism. Our teams will work to brainstorm new and innovative ways to register students during these unprecedented times.
We are the new generation of voters so it is imperative that we actively educate ourselves and those around us. By coordinating with schools and connecting passionate students from different parts of San Diego, we have the potential to register a huge number of new voters for the 2020 election and onward. Individual people can make a difference, but when we work together our potential to make change is unmatched.
We are the new generation of voters so it is imperative that we actively educate ourselves and those around us. By coordinating with schools and connecting passionate students from different parts of San Diego, we have the potential to register a huge number of new voters for the 2020 election and onward. Individual people can make a difference, but when we work together our potential to make change is unmatched.
OUR STORIES
Below, we have taken a moment to reflect on why we have chosen to commit ourselves to the goal of registering and pre-registering other high schoolers.
My: Last year, I personally led a pre-registration workshop and hosted a voter registration drive. I walked in thinking everyone was as excited as I was to become civically engaged, I was WRONG. Students in classrooms did not care one bit, some didn’t even bother to take the registration paper. When asking around, I realized they didn’t care because they had given up hope in the nation. “Things are the way they are, I can’t change that” someone said to me. That’s awful. I knew that I couldn’t change everyone’s mindset alone, so finding this campaign was a blessing. Now I get to work with inspirational leaders, fellow peers, and professionals who have passions in this field. My goal isn’t just to get people to register, it’s also to instill the hope that was lost and rekindle their motivation to use their voice.
Elea: I think that it is undeniable that young people are fired up about a multitude of pressing issues. We’re a generation who inherited the mistakes of all those who came before us - if we don’t act in our lifetimes, there won’t be a future for all the generations who come after us. Growing up knowing that we were going to be ones to make serious changes: to combat climate change, tear down an oppressive system that targets people of color, and fight against injustices that are faced by people globally, has created a generation of hard-working, well-educated, and hyper-involved young people. The question is, how do we channel the passion and ideas that our generation has into meaningful change now. I think that registering/pre-registering students is one of the most effective methods for change. I won’t be able to vote in the 2020 election, but I will do my best to make sure that young people get out to vote in record-breaking numbers and make our voices heard, and I encourage others to do the same.
We are two individuals who are looking to build a team of other passionate young people who are committed to registering new voters and encouraging civic engagement. If you are interested in joining our team or just want more information, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.
My: Last year, I personally led a pre-registration workshop and hosted a voter registration drive. I walked in thinking everyone was as excited as I was to become civically engaged, I was WRONG. Students in classrooms did not care one bit, some didn’t even bother to take the registration paper. When asking around, I realized they didn’t care because they had given up hope in the nation. “Things are the way they are, I can’t change that” someone said to me. That’s awful. I knew that I couldn’t change everyone’s mindset alone, so finding this campaign was a blessing. Now I get to work with inspirational leaders, fellow peers, and professionals who have passions in this field. My goal isn’t just to get people to register, it’s also to instill the hope that was lost and rekindle their motivation to use their voice.
Elea: I think that it is undeniable that young people are fired up about a multitude of pressing issues. We’re a generation who inherited the mistakes of all those who came before us - if we don’t act in our lifetimes, there won’t be a future for all the generations who come after us. Growing up knowing that we were going to be ones to make serious changes: to combat climate change, tear down an oppressive system that targets people of color, and fight against injustices that are faced by people globally, has created a generation of hard-working, well-educated, and hyper-involved young people. The question is, how do we channel the passion and ideas that our generation has into meaningful change now. I think that registering/pre-registering students is one of the most effective methods for change. I won’t be able to vote in the 2020 election, but I will do my best to make sure that young people get out to vote in record-breaking numbers and make our voices heard, and I encourage others to do the same.
We are two individuals who are looking to build a team of other passionate young people who are committed to registering new voters and encouraging civic engagement. If you are interested in joining our team or just want more information, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.
Podcast episode can be found here.
My Fu is a rising senior at James Madison High School and a co-leader of the When We All Vote-My School Votes: San Diego team. Her hobbies include stress eating, sleeping, and smothering her dog with love.
Elea Castiglione is a junior at San Diego High School and a co-leader of the When We All Vote-My School Votes: San Diego team. In addition to encouraging civic engagement, she loves elephants and drinking absurd amounts of coffee.
My Fu is a rising senior at James Madison High School and a co-leader of the When We All Vote-My School Votes: San Diego team. Her hobbies include stress eating, sleeping, and smothering her dog with love.
Elea Castiglione is a junior at San Diego High School and a co-leader of the When We All Vote-My School Votes: San Diego team. In addition to encouraging civic engagement, she loves elephants and drinking absurd amounts of coffee.