Thursday, July 10, 2025

Follow

Contact Support Us

Committee of Seventy is bringing high school students to the polls

Election Ambassadors meet then-mayoral candidate Jim Kenney near a polling place in 2015. October 3, 2016 Category: FeatureMethodShort
If adolescents were invited to engage in politics, would they be more likely to vote when they turn 18?

Committee of Seventy thinks so. The century-old nonpartisan nonprofit that advocates for better government is gearing up for Election Day (Nov. 8!) with its Election Ambassador Corps, a program that brings high school students to their local polling places to observe live voting.

committee-of-70-election-ambassadors

(Courtesy image)

The students are also trained to answer voters’ questions about voting procedures, report electioneering efforts and conduct surveys about election reform.

The program is a response to the fact that “young people are less inclined to register to turn out and vote, and to pay attention to their government and participate in the political process,” said Pat Christmas, policy program manager. “There is a growing disenchantment with the political process — and in too many instances, outright frustration and anger.”

The org hopes that by introducing youth to the political process before they can actively participate in it, they’ll be more inclined to vote in the future. For the past three local and national elections, the program has placed about 700 students at polling sites around the region. This year it’s aiming to place 300 to 400 more students.

In an election season that’s seen so much negativity, it’s especially important to encourage engagement among youth — the city’s (and nation’s) future leaders, Christmas said.

Want your students to participate? Email pchristmas@seventy.org.

Register to vote by Oct. 11

From our Partners

Trending News

Community Development Financial Institutions: Agents of Change Kyron Ryals
Defining Your Non-Negotiables: A Guide for Social Impact Leaders Andrea Carter
Your City, Your Budget? Philly’s Fight for a Budget That Reflects the People Laura Duarte Bateman
Why I Didn't Vote — And Why That Matters Monique Curry-Mims
Does low voter turnout in Philadelphia highlight a need for reform? Joelle DelPrete

Related Posts

July 9, 2025

Does low voter turnout in Philadelphia highlight a need for reform?

Read More >
July 2, 2025

Why I Didn't Vote — And Why That Matters

Read More >
May 21, 2025

Gun Violence Stats Are Dropping; Fear Among Youth Remains High

Read More >