NextGen America Launches Youth Vote Town Halls with Newly Elected Officials Across the Country

In collaboration with Town Hall Project, town halls will take place on college campuses during March and April recess

San Francisco, CA — Today, NextGen America announced the launch of a series of Youth Vote town halls with newly elected officials across 10 states. In collaboration with Town Hall Project, the Youth Vote town halls will allow young people to engage with the leaders they helped power to victory in November and hold them accountable to their campaign promises. The first town hall will take place in Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District with Congresswoman Susan Wild on March 19th at Northampton Community College.

“When young people show up to the polls, progressives win. Young voters powered the Blue Wave in 2018, and now it’s time for our leaders to deliver.” said NextGen America Youth Vote Director Ben Wessel. “These town halls will make space for young people to wield their immense power and hold elected officials to their word.”

“Last November, young people showed up to the polls in historic numbers. This sent a loud message across the country, but we also know democracy doesn’t end on Election Day.” said Town Hall Project founder, Jimmy Dahman. “Lawmakers need to hear from this powerful and growing constituency early and often and town halls like these are a perfect opportunity.”

In 2018, young voters turned out in record numbers to flip the House and elect progressives up and down the ballot. Immediately following the election, the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) estimated that nationwide 31% of young people between the ages 18 to 29 turned out to vote — a 10 point increase from 2014 and a record rate since 18 year-olds received the right to vote in 1971.

Young people showed up in the midterms — and they expect their newly elected leaders to show up for them in office. Held on college campuses, the Youth Vote town halls offer an opportunity for leaders to discuss their legislative priorities and stances on the issues that young voters care about — like the Green New Deal and climate action, gun safety, college affordability, and voting rights. The majority of the Youth Vote Town Halls will take place during the April Congressional recess. Other confirmed town hall participants include Congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel Powell (FL-26), Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), and Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried.  More town halls will be announced in the coming weeks.

In 2018, NextGen America ran the largest youth vote program in history, registering more than 257,000 young people to vote across 11 states and reaching over 7 million young people between 18 and 35 years old. NextGen is already gearing up for the 2020 cycle —organizing young people on college campuses and in communities, fighting to expand access to the ballot box, and laying the groundwork for progressive change in every corner of the nation.