Hey there, it's been a minute, Young Democrats!

After a brief hiatus, your YDA Newsletter team is back and buzzing with excitement to reconnect with you all to keep you engaged and informed. From now on, count on seeing the monthly newsletter in your inbox during the back half of each month.

Since the last time we connected, the importance of our collective efforts has only become clearer. The challenges we face — from threats to reproductive health care rights to assaults on democracy and the looming climate crisis — underscore the urgency of our mission. But together, we're ready to confront these challenges head-on and fight for the future young people deserve.

Let's dive back in, reaffirm our dedication to the cause, and work together to elect Democrats up and down the ballot this fall. Scroll down for a few brief updates and opportunities to get involved in upcoming events and initiatives. 

Upcoming Events: 

California Young Democrats Organizing Retreat - April 5-7, 2024 - Lake Tahoe, CA

Florida Young Democrats Convention - April 6, 2024 - Virtual

Kentucky Young Democrats Convention - April 10, 2024 - Virtual

Virginia Young Democrats Convention - April 12-14, 2024 - Roanoke, VA
Young Democrats of Maryland Annual Meeting - April 20, 2024 - Baltimore, MD

Former President Donald Trump trial begins in New York hush money case - April 15, 2024

DNC Executive Committee Meeting - April 16, 2024 - Chicago, IL
Earth Day - April 22, 2024

Young Democrats of Arkansas Convention - April 26 - 28, 2024 - Little Rock, AR

We're pleased to announce that we will host a virtual conference on the weekend of June 8-9. YDA will facilitate virtual committees, training, and programming to help ensure that organizational business is completed before the Democratic National Convention this August. Please mark your calendar for now, as more information will be forthcoming later this spring. 

Is there a YDA chartered unit or caucus event that should be listed in our next newsletter? Email us at [email protected] to let us know.

Young Dems in Action

This June, the Supreme Court is poised to strip millions of Americans’ access to reproductive health care. For decades the drug Mifepristone has been safely used to treat miscarriages, Cushing Syndrome, uterine leiomyomas, and early first-trimester medical abortions. That's why the Young Democrats of America is joining the Pennsylvania Young Democrats and 4 other leading youth organizations to take a stand — text SIGN POFSVD to 50409 to sign our petition today.

In Memoriam

Since our last newsletter, we've lost two amazing women who made enormous impacts on YDA, the Democratic Party, and their communities. 

Emily Beer was a longtime member and guiding hand to YDA. In her professional life, Emily was a fixture of Texas and Virginia politics, working tirelessly to elect Democrats at the local and state levels and better her home state of Texas and adopted home commonwealth of Virginia. Her legacy lives on in our communities and hearts, as well as the work of uplifting Young Democrats across the country. 

Brigid Kelly was the Hamilton County Auditor and a longtime member and former leader of the Ohio Young Democrats and YDA. Brigid recently announced her retirement from elected office on March 21 due to her two-year battle with cancer and said she would be entering hospice. She passed away only five days later at the age of 40. Brigid was an exemplary public servant, dedicated to the betterment of her community and putting those she served before herself.

CT Young Dems hold public hearing to ‘amplify’ Gen Z

“Our role is to amplify all the younger voices and to accentuate what we are passionate about, not just what we always hear from everyday Democrats,” said Andre Simons, the vice chair of operations for Young Democrats of Connecticut. “We get a packet of their [legislative priorities], but where is our skin in the game?” 

Some spoke in support of some of the bigger policies at the forefront of the legislative session, including affordable housing, funding for higher education, and increased access to healthcare, but they emphasized the need for legislation supporting social equity.  

“Racial justice and social equity are complex issues to me,” said Grace Carlos, the president of the Young Democrats of CT. “As we approach the new session, it’s imperative to me that we continue this work.”  

Meet the 26-year-old Dem state leader trying to convince her Gen Z peers to vote for Biden

A win is a win, as far as [Anderson] Clayton is concerned. And she wants to remind young people that they hold the power to change the things they’re unhappy with.

“People look at you and say ‘You can’t do anything about it either, it’s just happening to you.’ And I’m like, ‘No, we can do everything about it.’ And this presidency, this administration has said so because we can push him,” she said.

Clayton believes Biden is more likely to hear complaints and respond to them with legislation, unlike the presumed Republican nominee – a choose-your-fighter situation, if you will.

“We can’t push a Donald Trump, who doesn’t want young people to have the right to vote right now. We can’t push a Donald Trump, who doesn’t want people to have the right to abortion. We can not push that type of president,” Clayton said. “We can push a president, though, that believes and cares about young people. We can do that. And that’s why I tell them, ‘You need to vote this year because you still want that.”

Run for Something Poll Finds Youth Voter Turnout Improved By Young Progressive Candidates

New data commissioned by Run For Something, a political action committee that supports young progressives running for state and local office, sheds light on a new narrative: 61% of young Democrats in battleground states say they are more likely to turn out if there’s also a young, progressive candidate running down-ballot. The statistic is part of research conducted by John Della Volpe, who runs the market research firm SocialSphere and wrote the book FIGHT: How Gen Z Is Channeling Their Fear and Passion to Save America. Notably, 50% of non-white voters under 30 said they would be more likely to vote (as compared to 42% of white voters in the same age range).

“These are folks who might not show up right now because they're not particularly pumped about the president or feel like their vote is maybe not that important, but who, if given a local candidate who can really reach out to them, have a conversation with them, connect on the things they care about, we’ll get them to show up,” Run For Something cofounder and co-executive director Amanda Litman told Teen Vogue.

Do you know a YDA chartered unit that should be highlighted in our next newsletter? Email us at [email protected] to let us know which unit and why! 

Join the YDA Delegation to the IFLRY General Assembly in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire 🇨🇮

The International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY) is convening its General Assembly in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, and YDA is excited to send a delegation. This significant event is your chance to connect with liberal youth from across the globe, share insights, and discuss the pressing political issues of our time. Are you ready to represent YDA on this international stage? Apply now to be a delegate.

IFLRY is the worldwide federation of liberal youth organizations, and works to unite voices for democracy, human rights, and economic freedom. The assembly is a key nexus for liberal youth to exchange ideas, learn from one another, and strengthen international ties.

As a delegate, you'll engage in workshops, panels, and networking events, contributing to the global liberal dialogue. You'll also be assigned specific tasks to support our delegation's objectives.

The General Assembly will take place from May 9th to the 12th.

Please note that delegates will need to fund or fundraise for their travel, accommodations, medications, and vaccinations. All delegates must be eighteen or older.

"Funny hair, unfunny policies”: Join YDA International Affairs for an online session with the Dutch Jonge Democraten

Mark your calendars for April 7th, 2:00 pm EST — the YDA International Affairs Department is  hosting an important event to discuss electoral strategies for dealing with the far-right, with insights from our Dutch allies who've combated their own "Trump" in recent elections. This session will compare their experiences with our current challenges and explore how we can apply these lessons to our upcoming elections. 

Supplemental Appointment Application

The Young Democrats of America is looking for additional support as the 2024 campaign kicks into full swing. We are opening up applications for supplemental appointments — individuals selected may be added on as new appointments to the YDA team or replace a few vacancies that are available or will be in the coming weeks.

Program Engagement Opportunities Survey

 We invite you to participate in a survey designed to shape our programmatic learning opportunities for the year 2024. Your responses will guide us in tailoring events and discussions to align with your interests and needs. Your voice matters, and together, we can create an informed and engaging experience.