Civic TN

Youth voter turnout and registration have been dismal in TN. Research suggests that relational organizing – where trusted messengers take the lead on connecting with their personal networks – has a greater impact on low propensity voters than other methods – especially for Black, Hispanic, and young people. Since COVID-19 has made traditional outreach methods more challenging, this presents an opportunity to build on promising research and experiences with relational organizing. Civic TN along with coalition partner UnifiEd will host the Proud Voter Challenge to engage young people in the 2020 elections. As part of the challenge, UnifiEd’s Student Voice Team will recruit volunteers to use relational organizing to help friends and family register to vote, make a plan to vote as well as send election reminders and encouragement.