Serving Democracy: buildOn Students Get Out the Vote

As Election Day draws near and early voting takes place across the country, buildOn students in Oakland and Detroit are participating in voter registration workshops and outreach, doing their part to promote civic engagement in their communities.

Oakland: Knowing Our Rights

In Oakland, Engagement Specialist Teresa Ascencio organized a dynamic voting workshop aimed at educating students about the importance of voting and voter registration. The session began with a historical overview of voting rights in the U.S., highlighting the struggles faced by various groups throughout history. Teresa emphasized that voting is not just a right but a vital tool for influencing policies, holding leaders accountable, and fostering civic engagement.

Teresa reinforced the significance of voting as a means to reflect the will of the people and honor the struggle for suffrage.

Students learned how voting was initially restricted to landowning white men and how marginalized groups fought for their rights over the years.

Eligible students had the opportunity to pre-register to vote.

Even though many of her students are not yet old enough to vote, Teresa informed them that California (and several states throughout the U.S.!) allows pre-registration to citizens as young as 16 years old. As a result, she helped many of her students pre-register that day, and encouraged them to stay informed about political issues and engage in important community discussions.

The workshop culminated in a student-led discussion where participants shared their thoughts on voting and the political climate. Questions such as, “How do you feel about the upcoming election?” and “What social issue are you passionate about?” sparked meaningful conversations among peers. 

Detroit: Registering our Neighbors

In Detroit, buildOn Global Chief Operating Officer Rosann Jager and Engagement Specialist Katie Schweikhart led a two-week initiative that focused on voting rights education. Utilizing our IPARD (Investigation, Preparation, Action, Reflection, Demonstration) service-learning framework, the students explored the history of voting rights, current voter suppression tactics, and even participated in a sample literacy test, which historically disenfranchised many African Americans.

Equipped with knowledge, students went door-to-door in Southwest Detroit, distributing postcards and engaging neighbors in conversations about the importance of voting. Ninth grader Francisco articulated the group’s mission perfectly, stating that it’s essential to encourage people to vote “to improve our country.”

Connecting with Community

Helping students become active participants in their communities is fundamental to buildOn’s work. By educating young people about their rights and encouraging them to engage with their communities, we hope to build a more equitable world through a generation that values civic responsibility and social change.

Ready to join buildOn students and get involved in our democracy? Visit Headcount.org to make sure you’re registered and make a plan to vote in your federal, state, and local elections.