The League of Young Voters Education Fund

Texas League welcomes Spring 2012 Fellows Class

Blake Green — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:42:18 +0000

Texas League Fellows Spring 2012 Class

The Texas League is excited to welcome our new Spring 2012 Fellows Class. After a comprehensive application and interview process, we’ve selected 18 new Fellows from across the state of Texas representing cities of Austin, College Station, Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio. These Fellows will spend five months engaged in hands-on leadership development activities tailored to empower progressive-minded young people to become advocates and activists in their communities. The Fellows Program features a training curriculum developed by Harvard scholar Marshall Ganz on such organizing areas as public narrative, self development, leadership, campaign strategy, new media organizing, and data management. The Texas League Fellows Program is an integral component of the Texas League affiliate. The inaugural Fall 2011 Fellows class has already hit the ground building organizing teams and campaigns for the upcoming 2012 Election cycle and beyond!

Created with flickr slideshow.

What Happens When 33,000 Young People Show up to Talk Politics?

stern — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:28:51 +0000

With your help, we can change the mainstream narrative. They say young people are apathetic about politics, or too lazy to show up. 33,000 young people tuned in to #BarackTalk to prove them wrong!

Will you help us sustain the energy?

Support our mission to register thousands of new voters in 2012!

On Tuesday, January 24th, the League put on #BarackTalk, our second annual State of the Union panel and watch party. From hip-hop stars to journalists, the panelists discussed some of the most pressing issues of our time in the context of the speech. More importantly, twenty-somethings from around the country tweeted at a mind-blowing rate about what the state of our union is.

From unemployment to college affordability to the prison industrial complex, you spoke up; and when 33,000 people get together, the powers that be can’t afford not to listen.

What makes politicians quake in their boots is that we don’t simply pay attention to what’s going on it our world. We vote.

(Don’t forget, if you need to update your voter registration to your new address, do it online right now).

Missed the live broadcast? Check it out here.

APPLY: Launch ME & win $500!

Nicola — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:53:24 +0000

Wanna win $500 for your awesome idea or project?

APPLY to Launch ME! !

Maine faces unprecedented challenges to our economy, education, environment and community values. Young people all across the state are doing amazing work everyday to improve their communities, and we want to invest in these brilliant plans by inviting you to participate in our Launch ME Contest!

All you have to down is download the application & then e-mail your responses today!

Here’s what the contest can do for you:

1) All contestants will get publicity for their project on our website.

2) At the end of March, the public will vote for their favorite projects. The winners of that vote will be invited to our big fat party on April 6th in Portland (lodging and travel support included).

3) At the PARTY, attendees will be encouraged to donate $10 to their favorite projects – and YOU walk home with all the money that you raise.

4) PLUS, attendees will rank choice vote for their favorite projects and the winner will receive an additional $500 toward their work.

Money + Publicity + Community Support = Launch ME

For more details and contest rules, download an application and send it to us today!

Lewiston/Auburn 101

Nicola — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 11:56:40 +0000

Always wondered how Lewiston/Auburn operates and how you can get involved?

Join Lewiston/Auburn 101 to learn more!
Click Here to Download an Application OR email Nicola[at]youngvoter.org to get more info.

Here’s what previous Maine 101 participants have had to say about the program in other cities:
“Every city should have one!”

“It made me realize how accessible everything is. It’s so easy to call people, contact people, and get involved. It’s fantastic to have contacts in City Hall, the Police Department, and at EcoMaine. I’ve been recommending EcoMaine tours to everybody I know.”

Click Here to Download an Application

LEWISTON/AUBURN 101
When: Every Wednesday from 5:30 to 7:00 pm, February 29 – May 2
Where: Various Locations in the Twin Cities
Who: Curious Folks with a Desire to Learn & Engage
Cost: $15 for Supplies; Scholarships Available/Easy to Obtain

L/A 101 is a 10-week exploration where you’ll visit various municipal departments in Lewiston/Auburn and meet with the administrators and staff that make our cities great!

Learn how our cities’ public works departments handle maintenance & upkeep of streets, city facilities, and parks, meet our local police officers, take a look at our cities’ budgets with our mayors and city administrators, and so much more. In addition to department tours, we’ll have several trainings and discussions on civic leadership via the Institute for Civic Leadership (www.civicleadership.org).

Click here to Download an Application

2012 Schedule

Week 1: February 29 – Introduction and Training
Week 2: March 7 – City Council and City Administration
Week 3: March 14 – Police Department
Week 4: March 21 – Economic Development and Zoning
Week 5: March 28 – Civic Leadership Training with Institute for Civic Leadership
Week 6: April 4 – How To: Letters to the Editor, Speaking at City Hall, and More!
Week 7: April 11 – Social Services
Week 8: April 18 – Public School System
Week 9: April 25 – Public Works
Week 10: May 2 – Evaluation
(Schedule subject to change)

For information and to decide if this program is a good fit for you – Email Nicola@youngvoter.org

Here’s more great quotes from last year’s participants:

“I really enjoyed the hands-on tours that made me feel like I was becoming a more aware citizen of Portland. The diversity of facilities we visited was great. Having a class in which we were able to converse with each other more directly about certain issues, such as during the Institute for Civic Leadership class, was also a nice addition.”

“I learned that becoming more familiar with my local government is a much easier process than I would have imagined. I learned where my drinking water comes from and where my trash and recycling go to, and so much more. I learned that it is a feasible goal for a young person to strive to become active in my town.”

“For the past few years I have felt a growing desire to become more involved in my community, and to learn more about it, and Portland 101 fit in with this trend. I feel like I have a much better idea of where to go if I want to get involved in a more specific sense than I did before Portland 101.”

#UnF_ckTheWorld Mixtape Volume. 1 Drops: FowL Debuts #UnF_ckDetroit

stern — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 18:58:14 +0000

[FREE DOWNLOAD HERE]

The League Of Young Voters Education Fund, in partnership with Rock The Vote and Green For All, dropped the first installment in the “Generation Next: #UnF_cktheWorld” series on January 3. UnF_ckDetroit is volume 1 of the mixtape series, featuring FowL and produced by DJ Willie Shakes.

Crowned the 2010 Red Bull Emsee champion by rapper Eminem, the mixtape features the 20-year-old Detroit rapper FowL. In an effort to get young urban voters revved up and activated around the 2012 election season, LYVEF will release a series of four mixtapes, where each will focus on individual cities.

Portland 101

Nicola — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 20:30:33 +0000

Turn in your application today! Download the Application Here!

Are You Listening? By Christopher Miller Jr.

Kwesi — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 22:46:24 +0000

So we asked for the artist to come out and they showed up! After election season the real fun starts with the League. Now that we have gotten people to the polls, we are working on getting people to the stage! Here is a piece written by Christopher Miller Jr. about what he sees when he looks out the window. Submit your art HERE.

Are You Listening?

By: Christopher Miller Jr.

Delusion, confusion; But with no Vision In site I look to the sky,
Then to my right and down the street wondering if my advice was heard.

Was my vote considered?

Waiting to see my neighborhood… My city, my country to fly and sores towards the completion of our dream of a better nation
Maybe some deletion of the issue those lay and baffle us day-to-day. The many roads undone; To our children’s schools; We work with small pay
With the state and town committing 211′s on our pay check
With each and every hour we give everyday…..Man and we sick of it.
Get these thugs off the corner; from standing in front of the store. No after school programs i know.
But I’m tired of watching ladies cuff and hold their purse from the car to the door.

Where is our protection? Oh yeah they working double and triple shifts.
Because the city won’t release extra money they take spending it on freeway, rehab to places I don’t use. Isn’t that a trip?

And down right funny.
Then they wonder why a lot of people don’t vote…..man they be confused.
And want to know what the heck you did with they money.
Trying to be patient as bill..After …bill is so important
So many Issues after issue, making my eye water trying to read.

Man I need some tissue because all these issues are starting to make my eyes hurt and my nose bleeds.

I’ve told you the issues…I’ve listen to the lies.

I hope when I voted this time.

My opinion is not just set aside.

Don’t Back Down, Keep Up the Fight! Attorney General Eric Holder Visits Texas

Blake Green — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 15:54:32 +0000

By Christina Sanders (Texas State Director). Originally published on 99Problems.org.

This year has been a very emotional year for young people, people of color and the poor in Texas. Even though I was not alive during the era of Jim Crow laws that sought to segregate and suppress the electoral impact of African Americans, somehow I feel like I am in the midst of a Jim Crow fight today. The 82^nd Session of the Texas Legislature proved brutal to the confidence that many voting rights groups and advocates have in our state lawmakers. During that session, state house and senate representatives voted to approve a Voter ID bill that offered so many restrictions that one might assume Mr. Jimmy Crow wrote it himself.

This photo ID law was deemed “emergency” legislation by Texas Gov. Rick Perry. Someone please call 911 because that emergency Voter ID bill could flip the script on Texas voters by no longer allowing voters to use a voter registration card to cast a ballot – leaving more than a half million registered voters shot and voiceless.

According to the bill (SB-14), voters would need a valid photo identification card issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles. That identification cannot have been expired more than 60 days – yes, even if the picture is the same and you are the exact same person. In addition to a valid unexpired photo ID, Texans can show a military ID, VISA or passport. Oh yeah, or concealed handgun license. Not for those that may have a concealed handgun but those with “papers” for their concealed handguns.

Well, Jim Crow’s nephew, James thought that he and his ugly grandpa were going to get away with the newly passed laws to cut voters out of the 2012 elections, but the attorney general had an intermission for that horror film. Guess who’s playing Freddie? Eric Holder, who put a stop to the clearance of the Texas Emergency mission to disenfranchise voters by charging state officials up and requesting more information in an effort to ensure the law isn’t discriminatory.

The state has not been able to prove that the new law would not discriminate against voters and has not been able to start putting thing in place to be able to fully implement Texas’ proposed Voter ID law. I don’t get it! I mean, what is so serious that you have to lie and steal to prevent other Americans from voting?

Today, Attorney General Eric Holder will be at The University of Texas in Austin and will be addressing the Voter ID laws. Many groups want to be careful about saying things that might offend or offset Mr. Holder. The students, along with myself, that have to pay stupid high tuition for college yet are graduating without jobs are interested in equal and protected access to the ballot.

We hope that Holder will stand up and step up the fight against any type of voter suppression. Jim Crow never met Holder, but he works for Barack Obama, who is married to Michelle and we hope that the, “oh hell nalls” in so many words are used to protect the voice of Texas’ voters.

Let’s fight, Let’s win!

#LetsMakeOurStory

stern — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 23:19:43 +0000

It is time to unleash the Columbus art scene on the world!

I may have never discovered the world of organizing had I not discovered the Columbus urban performing arts scene. What I discovered was passionately poetic people in an environment that was both thought-provoking and fulfilling. Finding a platform to express myself artistically is the #1 reason that I decided to start this program!

Now, I would like to help introduce you to the world. We have already received some of Columbus’ finest spoken words and hip-hop artists and we are still accepting more!

If you’ve got talent and want to get it promoted, e-mail me your submissions.

We are looking for the real. How do you see the world? What is really going on? What is really good?

The Ohio League of Young Voters Education Fund is screaming #LetsMakeOurStory and we are preparing to turn to #Chapter2012.

Together, we write Our story. Divided, we are history!

Op-ed: Partisan tactic could suppress voting

Blake Green — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 03:29:45 +0000

DEAN ROHRER / HC

By Judith Browne Dianis (co-director of Advancement Project) and Christina Sanders (Texas State Director of the League of Young Voters). Originally published in the Houston Chronicle.

In less than a year, Texans will be going to the polls to exercise one of the most cherished rights of our democracy: the right to vote. It is the fundamental pillar of our democracy that in the voting booth we are all equal – black or white, young or old, rich or poor. When we cast our ballot, we all raise an equal voice to determine the shape of our government.

It was not always that way in the Lone Star State. In the post-Reconstruction era, blacks were violently denied their right to vote. Jim Crow laws and poll taxes made voting impossible for many of Texas’ African-American citizens.

Today, lawmakers are implementing a strategy to again suppress the vote of the most vulnerable Texans. Earlier this year, Gov. Rick Perry signed a repressive photo identification law that would no longer allow voters to use utility bills, bank statements and paychecks to verify their identities at the ballot box, and would instead require them to present state-issued photo identification. This new law was instated in the name of preventing alleged rampant voter fraud.

However, voter fraud is not a problem in Texas. You are far more likely to be killed by lightning than to see a prosecutable case of voter fraud.

Studies show that in-person voter impersonation, the only problem that could be addressed by a photo ID law, is exceedingly rare. In fact, a 2008 study documented that out of the millions of Texas voters between 2006 and 2008, none were accused of in-person impersonation. Most instances of improper voting involve registration and eligibility issues, none of which would be prevented by the new photo ID restriction.

While there is no proof of any voter fraud that Texas’ photo ID laws would actually prevent, numerous studies have shown that photo-ID laws do lead to voter suppression. A recent study from the Harvard Law and Policy Review found photo ID laws decrease turnout by between 1.6 percentage points and 2.2 percentage points. The same study found that from 3 million to 4.5 million voters were disenfranchised by these kinds of laws in 2006.

A new documentary by Brave New Foundation reveals a strong partisan bent to these initiatives. Under the pretense of safeguarding elections against voter fraud, the American Legislative Exchange Council – a conservative advocacy group that receives funding from the billionaire Koch brothers (who also back elements of the tea party) – crafted and distributed model voter ID legislation introduced in 34 states this year, including Texas.

To complement the voter suppression efforts, tea party-affiliated groups such as the Houston-based King Street Patriots have vowed to send individuals to observe activities at polling places, which could intimidate voters. Hundreds of volunteers have pledged their time to travel to polling stations, question the rights of fellow Texans to cast their ballots and disrupt polling-place activity if they deem it necessary. The idea of tea party volunteers storming polling places evokes strong images of Jim Crow-era voter suppression.

Texas’s photo ID law is extremely restrictive, requiring only nonexpired, state-issued photo IDs, which are difficult for millions of people to obtain. Texas’ secretary of state recently reported 600,000 registered voters lack the type of ID the new law requires, and many Texans would have difficulty getting it. About half of Texas’ counties either lack a Texas Department of Public Safety office that issues IDs, has recently had a DPS office close, or has a DPS office that is open but with limited hours. Many of the state’s inner cities lack DPS offices, and many residents in those neighborhoods are not likely to drive and are therefore most likely to lack the required ID. Harris County, for example, has 12 DPS offices but not a single one is located inside the 610 loop.

The state estimates that more than $2 million is required to implement the law and an untold amount to educate voters about the new law. Advancement Project’s report “What’s Wrong with This Picture” (advancementproject.org/sites/default/files/publications/Picture%20ID6%20low.pdf) reveals that it is expensive to both individuals and states. Taxpayers will bear the cost of providing free IDs – more than $20 million in some states during a time of tough budget constraints.

The U.S. Department of Justice is currently reviewing Texas’ law to ensure the law is not discriminatory. We believe, and studies show, that these laws are discriminatory for African-Americans, Latinos, students, the elderly and those with disabilities, many of whom lack the requisite documents to get the ID and would find it expensive and in some cases impossible to get them.

Voting is the underpinning of our democracy. It is one of the most fundamental ideals for which our fighting men and women are told they are risking their lives. Backed by conservative- and tea-party-aligned think tanks and funders, the laws disenfranchise many voters who often trend Democratic. It would be a sad statement on our nation if Texas, for partisan gain, rolls the clock back to an era where people are denied their voice and democracy is sacrificed.