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NOW Hear This

Message from National NOW President Christian F. Nunes

November 17, 2023

Greetings Feminists,

I’ve always been a big believer in the power of our youth, and it fills me with joy to witness the ever-growing rates of voter turnout amongst young people in our nation. I want to dispel some myths around youth voting, such as the apathy amongst young people or declining rates of young people’s civic participation. Over the past decade, there has been an upward trend [ [link removed] ] in the youth vote, with young people consistently showing up at the polls to make their voices heard.

Much work must be done to dismantle barriers to young people’s engagement in democracy. Youth voter turnout varies state by state, with Michigan leading the charge in high youth engagement in elections. It’s no surprise that Michigan also has online voter registration, same-day registration, and implemented automatic voter registration in 2019. In comparison, states with low youth voter turnout rates have extremely restrictive voting and registration policies.

In expanding voting access for young people, educational institutions can take concrete steps to ensure they have a “Voter Friendly Campus” [ [link removed] ] for students. This includes creating comprehensive online voting guides with absentee ballot information, including voter registration information in welcome packets, and tabling during school and sports events. We have Campus Action Network (CAN) chapters across the country, and they are clubs on campuses that affiliate with NOW. Through CANs, different groups and clubs who work on NOW’s key issues can connect with others nationwide and receive the necessary support and resources from NOW. With an overarching goal of connecting young, intersectional feminists across the country, it’s instrumental in increasing youth voter engagement on high school and college campuses and is key to NOW’s mission to advancing voter equality. Like every vote, the youth vote matters and holds the power to make great change.

In solidarity,
Christian

NOW IN THE NEWS

• What does it take to drive social change and shift paradigms towards equality? On her podcast, Feminism NOW, Christian F. Nunes talks with two changemakers working to build inclusive coalitions and advance justice for marginalized groups. Zakiya Thomas, President and CEO of the Equal Rights Amendment Coalition [ [link removed] ] discusses the importance of the ERA for securing rights for all people regardless of sex. Next, Christian chats with Dr. Leslie Hinkson, Chief Officer of Racial Justice and Equity for the League of Conservation Voters [ [link removed] ]about her work to promote intersectionality, racial justice, and equity within the climate justice movement. Listen Here [ [link removed] ]
• New York Public Library | On Tuesday, November 14, Christian spoke on a panel for the New York Public Library with other politicians and activists at the forefront of the gender equality movement about the ongoing fight for the Equal Rights Amendment. The youth are harnessing their own power and voices and Generation Ratify is a brilliant example of this. Generation Ratify [ [link removed] ] is a youth-led movement comprised of high school and college students who are fighting for the ERA. We must recognize that the youth have a voice and we must allow them the space to use it freely. Part of the way we expand and grow movements is by recognizing that as time goes on, movements will experience change and shifts but what truly matters is that we are all working towards a common goal and purpose. Listen Here: [ [link removed] ]


RESOURCES

• NOW | How to Start/Register a CAN Chapter
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• Campus Vote Project | Youth Voting Rights
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• Youth Voter Movement | Teen Voter Registration Project
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• Project South | Voting Rights Resources
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• Southern Poverty Law Center | Voting Rights
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• National Center for Transgender Equality | Voting Rights
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• Administration for Community Living | Voting Resources for Older Adults and People with Disabilities
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• National Constitution Center | Classroom Resources About Voting Rights
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• League of Women Voters | Voting Rights
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• United States Election Assistance Commission | Resources for Voters with Disabilities
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ACTION ITEMS

• Support NOW's Work | Donate Today 
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• Youth Voter Movement | Donate Here
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• Parents Together | Don't Cave to Book Banners, Sign the Petition
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• NOW Action Alert | Tell Senators: Women Need Paycheck Fairness NOW
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• National Domestic Violence Hotline | Ways to Support
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• Domestic Violence Awareness Project | Sharing Your Story
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• Futures Without Violence | Donate Here
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• NOW Action Alert | Congress Must Take Action; $16 Billion Needed to Avoid Childcare Cliff
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• Social Goods | Shop to Support the Social Goods x NOW Collection
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• Write for Rights – Share your Abortion Story for a New Book | Use Your Voice to Create Change [link removed]

• ERA Petition | Sign4ERA Petition
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• March for our Lives | Sign the Petition for Gun Safety
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• National Network of Abortion Funds | Donate for Abortion Funds
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National Organization for Women
1100 H Street NW, Suite 300
Washington, DC xxxxxx
United States

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