Ways for High School Youth to Get Involved in Politics

Written by Tamia Hassan, Senior at EPHS

In the upcoming presidential election, teens and youth may feel as if they don't have a voice or say in the outcome. Although they may not have the power to vote, youth can engage in politics and share their voice in other forms. Here are seven ways youth can get involved in politics, share their voice, and be civically engaged in their community.

Volunteering for local campaigns

One way to get involved in the national election is to first work on the local level. Although it is less known, local elections can have a huge effect and significance on your life and the national election. As a teen, one way to get involved in local elections is by volunteering for political campaigns. Many political figures hire and allow students to volunteer for the campaign. This can be doorknocking, office work, and even marching in parades. You can visit the DFL49 Volunteer page to get involved with candidates in your local area, or you can visit Mobilize.us to volunteer on a larger scale.

Pre-registering to vote

In Minnesota, 16 year old students have the option to pre-register to vote before they turn 18 years old. By doing this, teens will be automatically registered to vote on their 18th birthday. Voter turnout among 18-23-year-olds is far lower compared to other age groups. Pre-registering to vote is an opportunity to fix the inconsistency and make it easier for youth to vote once they turn 18 years old. You can pre-register to vote here at the Secretary of State’s website.

Joining political organizations

Youth who identify with a specific political party can join political groups around them. Young Democrats of America, Minnesota Young DFL, and more organizations are all available for youth to join and get involved. These organizations prepare youth to lead politics and provide opportunities to get involved. If you attend EPHS you can visit this link to sign up for Youth in Government or the Young Democrats Club. You can also learn more about the official Youth Caucus of the DFL by visiting this link.

Contacting government officials

Do you have a specific issue in your community you care about? Consider reaching out to one of your government officials. Senators, State Representatives, and your city government are all figures that can help address and work on problems in your community or state. If you see a problem that needs fixing in your community, reaching out to government officials can help give the issue a platform and soon be addressed. You can find your local, state, and national elected officials at this website.

Participate in a precinct caucus

The DFL allows people 16 and older to participate in precinct caucuses. They hold meetings dedicated to endorsing candidates, selecting delegates, and setting party platforms.  Precinct caucuses allow youth to show support for specific candidates, discuss policy issues, and learn more about their political party. You can find more information about the DFLS precinct caucus here.

Become a student election judge

In Minnesota, Students can apply to become a student election judge. Students 16 and 17 years old can either volunteer or get compensated for working in the primary and general elections. Election judges help with polling, conducting recounts and post-election reviews, and serving on absentee ballot boards. To apply, youth must attend required trainee sessions and must be able to read, write, and speak English. Becoming an election judge is a great way for students to learn more about the voting process and elections before they can vote and serve their community. Reach out to your community or nearby cities to see if they are looking for student election judges. Find out how to apply at this website.

Seek out campaign internships

Many political campaigns have internships available to high school students. These internships allow youth to get involved with politics and local campaigns. Whether it be doorknocking, phone banking, or helping campaigns, these internships are great ways for young people to get involved and educate themselves. Find out Intern opportunities in the Minnesota Legislature here and Minnesota DFL here.

There are numerous ways for youth to participate in politics. In this upcoming presidential election, it is important to get involved. As youth, sharing our voice in politics is crucial as future leaders, politicians, and citizens. Volunteering, interning, or pre-registering to vote, are ways to increase youth participation in politics and become more civically engaged.