Igniting a youth-led movement
YVote was co-founded in 2017 by NYC high school students to boost youth voting and civic engagement among their peers. Motivated by consistently low youth voter turnout, they started "Pizza and Politics" forums. These forums evolved into ongoing, youth-led programs focused on community advocacy and democracy building.
Since then, YVote—and the organization it merged with, Next Generation Politics—has engaged more than 1,500 teens in a variety of civics programs. Now, we continue to provide young people with a learning environment in which they can explore diverse perspectives, engage in their communities, and build a more connected and hopeful future.
values & mission
Our Vision
A future of civically-informed and engaged youth who are prepared to create the change they want to see.
Our Mission
To ensure every New York high school student is empowered to engage, act, and lead change in their city, at and beyond the ballot box.
our values
Youth Leadership: Youth are already leading the way.
Young people are the leaders of their YVote experience. We are youth-led in everything we do, from our programs, to our partnerships, to our organizational decision-making.
Diversity: Our democracy needs, and welcomes, diverse perspectives.
A thriving democracy requires a broad range of youth to become civic actors and leaders, fulfilling their potential for individual and collective impact.
Empowerment: We are building a community of changemakers.
YVote's programs provide a supportive space for all young people to learn and strengthen the tools and skills needed to make lasting change in their communities, through and beyond voting.
Open Mindedness & Collaboration: We're shaping the future of this city and country, together.
Advocacy is not one size fits all. We respect and approach different perspectives with curiosity and openness, not judgment.
want to support change?
A gift to YVote is an investment in a new generation of civic leaders. Join us in building a youth-led movement towards a more just, inclusive, and healthy democracy.
our impact
Only 29% of YVote youth start our programs with some civic knowledge, but 93% leave feeling highly knowledgeable and experienced. YVote youth become "civic sparkplugs," inspiring their families and peers to engage in civic action and often leading community workshops on advocacy, participation, and voter registration.