PHILADELPHIA – The Office of Youth Engagement (OYE) will recognize National Voter Registration Day on Tuesday, September 25 by partnering with two local organizations to register high school students of voting age for the upcoming November elections. Mayor Jim Kenney recently took a pledge in response to a call to action from Mayors For Our Lives and committed to make it easier for young people to vote during National Voter Registration Day. In response to this challenge, the Office of Youth Engagement, members from the Philadelphia Youth Commission and volunteers from the Urban League of Philadelphia, will partner with three schools on Tuesday, September 25, to register students to vote.
“Our democracy depends on civic participation from our residents,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “Our youth are our nation’s next leaders and change makers. It is critical that our young people contribute their diverse perspectives to our local and national dialogue to broaden what we imagine possible in this country.”
Participating schools include:
- Science Leadership Academy, 55 N 22nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
- South Philadelphia High School, 2101 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19148, a City of Philadelphia designated Community School
- George Washington High School, 10175 Bustleton Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19116, a City of Philadelphia designated Community School
The schools participating represent some of the City’s community schools and are schools that Philadelphia Youth Commissioners attend. OYE and partner volunteers will be registering eligible voters at each of the three schools from 9:30am – 1pm.
“Our city is full of brilliant young minds that want their voice to be heard,” said Ricardo Calderón, director for the Office of Youth Engagement. “We’ve witnessed the younger generation take a major step forward in recent years through their organizing, advocacy, influence and action, around issues that matter to them – gun violence, climate change and gender equality, among many others. Voting is another opportunity for them to continue their journey of exercising their civic and social responsibilities to improve the world around them, and we are excited to support that process.”
“The Urban League of Philadelphia is fully committed to empowering the next generation of engaged citizens,” said ULP President Andrea Custis. “National Voter Registration Day gives us the opportunity to work with our Young Professional Volunteers, NExT Philadelphia, to prepare our youth for this responsibility.”.
To register to vote in Philadelphia, a person must be:
- A citizen of the United States for at least one month before the next election.
- A resident of Philadelphia and a part of their election district for at least 30 days before the next election.
- At least 18 years of age on or before the day of the next election.
Potential voters will be registered and will also be provided information about requirements for first-time voters; finding their polling place on Election Day, Tuesday, November 6; and other information that will be relevant to youth voting. The registration deadline for the November 6 general election is October 9.
In the days after the tragedy in Parkland, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School students organized March for Our Lives to ensure that what happened at their school never happens again. Mayors for Our Lives is a coalition that formed in support of the March for our Lives advocacy organization. In conjunction with The U.S. Conference of Mayors, African American Mayors Association, and cities across the country, Mayors for Our Lives will work with local leadership to ensure the right to vote and be heard is available to all students in all communities.
About the Philadelphia Youth Commission
The Philadelphia Youth Commission is a body of 21 young leaders between the ages of 12-23, who are appointed by the Mayor and City Council, to represent their peers as they advise key leadership on policy, legislation and programming that impact youth.
About The Urban League of Philadelphia
The Urban League of Philadelphia (ULP) is a 101-year-old organization committed to advancing the social and economic achievement of African Americans and other underserved residents of Philadelphia. An affiliate of the National Urban League, the oldest and largest community-based movement in the country, ULP focuses on entrepreneurship, housing, career services, youth programs and leadership, health & wellness and advocacy. ULP serves more than 15,000 children and families each year. Learn more at urbanleaguephila.org