Friend, our democracy is stronger when all voices are heard.

Youth and people of color — the communities most affected by climate change, pollution, and environmental injustice — are also historically underrepresented in the voting population and have faced barriers to voting.

California Environmental Voters is fighting for a more inclusive democracy. That means drastically boosting voter registration and participation rates for youth and people of color, who continue to be underrepresented in democracy.

Over 400 members of this team have already signed our petition calling on state leaders to make a significant investment in voter education and outreach to close that participation gap. Right now, will you add your name to show Sacramento the strength of this movement for a more representative democracy?

Thanks for taking a stand for democracy.

- California Environmental Voters


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From: Melissa Romero, California Environmental Voters (formerly CLCV)
To:  [email protected] 
Date: April 6, 2022
Subject: Youth and people of color are underrepresented in our democracy. Here’s our plan to change that.

Hi there,

California has been at the forefront of the fight to expand voting rights and remove barriers to voting, including the newest law to permanently mail a ballot to every voter.

Unfortunately, California has yet to close the historic trends of lower voter registration and participation that still exist for youth and people of color, who continue to be underrepresented in democracy compared to the state’s older, white population.

For instance, despite historically high voter turnout overall in the November 2020 election, the turnout among California’s eligible 18- to 24-year-old was 20 percentage points lower (!!!) than the population’s overall. On top of that, Latinos and Asian Americans continue to be underrepresented in California’s voting electorate compared to their share of the state’s eligible voter population (adult citizens).

Policy changes that expand access to voting are meant to increase voter participation, but in order to do that they must be paired with good voter education and outreach programs to make sure people know about them. Investing in better voter education and outreach is also a critical solution to solving the age and racial voter participation gaps by ensuring that the people who are most underrepresented are being reached with critical information about how and when to vote.

To that end, California Environmental Voters is teaming up with Assemblymember Mike Fong, Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, and other organizations to call on our leaders in Sacramento to invest $85 million annually over the next three years for voter education and outreach. Will you sign on to our letter?

Friend, here’s what you need to know about the budget investment for which we’re advocating:

The what: To fund critical voter outreach and education campaigns and resources like mailers, social media, partnerships with community organizations, TV and radio ads, and trusted ethnic and local media to ensure everyone has the information they need about how to vote and their options for voting.

The when: For the 2022 and 2024 election cycles.

The why: To avoid widening California’s already significant age and racial participation gaps and to build an electorate that is truly representative of all Californians, which is a necessary step if we are going to achieve climate justice.

We can’t achieve those goals without widespread public awareness of the opportunities to participate in democracy. Join us in calling on the Governor and legislative leadership to make this necessary investment in voter outreach and education.

Thanks for taking a stand for democracy.

Melissa Romero
Senior Legislative Manager
California Environmental Voters
(formerly California League of Conservation Voters)

California Environmental Voters (EnviroVoters), formerly California League of Conservation Voters, exists to build the political power to solve the climate crisis, advance justice, and create a roadmap for global action. To protect our air, land, water, and future, we organize voters, elect and train candidates, and hold lawmakers accountable for bold policy change. Our vision is to solve the climate crisis, build resilient, connected, healthy communities, and create a democracy and economy that is just and sustainable for all.