HYVE: Hey Young Voters, Engage!
Pennsylvania ranked number 1 in the nation for young voter impact in the 2022 elections, according to CIRCLE, the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning & Engagement.
“Young people make up 16% of the state’s population, 69% of youth are registered to vote, and young people had above-average voter turnout in the past two federal elections.”
Much of that is thanks to organizations like PA Youth Vote, Campus Vote Project, and League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania registering voters at the high school and college level.
But voting is just the start.
Fair Districts PA has done good work focusing attention on the importance of legislative districts and a responsive legislative process, but young voters are still a long way from being heard in the halls of Harrisburg.
That’s why we’re launching a new initiative called HYVE: Hey Young Voters, Engage!
HYVE will promote conversation, connection and civic engagement for Pennsylvanians under 35 working together for redistricting reform and real representation.
HYVE launches this fall with a series of monthly Zoom meetings featuring young elected officials, legislative staff and other political professionals.
- Representative Alec Ryncavage, a Republican representing House District 119 in Luzerne County, will speak at the first meeting on September 20. Rep. Ryncavage started a cyber security, web-design firm while he was in middle school and was elected to Plymouth Borough Council at age 18. Now 22, he’s the youngest person serving in PA’s state legislature.
- On October 18 HYVE participants will hear from Senator Nick Miller, a Democrat representing Senate District 14. That district serves parts of Allentown in Lehigh County, as well as suburban and more rural municipalities in Northampton County. Senator Miller was elected to the Allentown School Board in 2019 and became Vice-President of that board two years later. At 28 he’s PA’s youngest senator.
Other speakers will follow on November 15th and December 13th, with regular calls to action and chances to share ideas for future meetings and networking opportunities.
Young voters (and soon-to-be voters) can sign up at https://tinyurl.com/FDPA-HYVE to receive links to meetings and action alerts.
Anyone working with young voters can share the link above, or email HYVE@FairDistrictsPA.com to learn more about how to help publicize this effort.
Feel free to save and share the graphic below on social media, emails to younger friends or family members, or print and post it on your school or campus bulletin boards.
