Election Day is rapidly approaching. It’s an amazing moment to help youth build an understanding of elections, discuss issues, and explore democracy. We’ve pulled together a few resources to help educate youth about the process and engage them in sharing their perspectives, as well as tips for educators on managing tough conversations and differing views.

iCivics Election Headquarters: iCivics has created free election-focused games and nonpartisan teaching resources specific to high school, middle school, and elementary students to help young people understand the power of their voice and vote, learn about state, local, and federal election processes, and become informed and engaged participants. One session and multiple session lesson plans are provided, as well as games ranging from under 15 minutes to 30 minutes or longer.  A free webinar, Teaching Elections with iCivics, will be held on September 24, 2024 at 7pm ET. Register.

iCivics also offers digital literacy resources to help students identify trustworthy information online with videos and lesson plans on navigating misinformation, disinformation, and AI-generated content. The learning modules, developed in partnership with experts at the Digital Inquiry Group, are focused exclusively on digital literacy as it relates to our democracy and can be woven into your program where you need them.

Call for Change Youth Media Challenge: KQED in partnership with PBS LearningMedia and the National Writing Project are seeking student commentaries about election-related issues. Call for Change is a free Youth Media Challenge project for middle and high school students. Student pieces will be published to the Youth Media Showcase, and some will be selected for KQED’s broadcast and digital channels. The project guides students through making a personal connection to an election issue, researching or advocating for a solution and creating an audio or video commentary or editorial cartoon to share their ideas. Call for Change resources include teacher-tested, ready-to use curriculum in both English and Spanish and an educator toolkit, project checklists and rubrics. Get inspired by the student media submissions on the Election Playlist. Election-related student media submitted from now through November 5, 2024 will be considered for showcasing.

Tips for working with youth during the 2024 elections.

Conversations and opinions around the 2024 election can be contentious. Check out advice from fellow educators on handling the environment and helping youth manage themselves when views differ.

Help Families Access Voting Resources during Lights On Afterschool

Did you know you can have information on how to vote at your Lights On Afterschool event? Providing information on voting at your event can make it easier for busy families to learn what they need to vote, and where to go. Encouraging voting also sends a message to your students about the importance of voting.

TIPS:

#1: Make sure you do not show favor for any candidate. Voter registration activities must be designed solely to educate the public about the importance of voting and must not show any bias for or against any candidate or party. (IRS guidelines allow 501(c)(3) organizations to operate nonpartisan voter registration or Get Out the Vote drives.)

#2: Reach out to local organizations to see if they can man a table at your event, or provide fliers.

#3 Use call-outs, posters, hand-outs, and social or e-mail notes to let families know about resources for voting. Vote411.org (English and Spanish) and Vote.org are two user-friendly, nonpartisan sites that let users:

#4 Share hotlines families can use in case of problems voting:

  • 1-866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683)
  • 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (en Español)
  • 1-888-API-VOTE (Asian multilingual assistance)
  • 1-844-YALLA-US (Arabic)
Connect with policymakers: Rules of engagement

Don't miss this opportunity because you're worried about remaining non-partisan or appearing to endorse a particular candidate. You can host a candidate for office and still remain nonpartisan!

Lights On Afterschool is a great way to introduce candidates and elected officials to the world of afterschool. Elected officials can always speak in their official capacity. If you invite elected officials to speak in support of your issue in their role as public officials, ask them not to discuss the campaign or mention the election.

Other candidates also want to be visible in the community, and Lights On Afterschool is all about building and demonstrating community support for afterschool programs. However, when a person speaks as a candidate—and not in their official capacity as a public officeholder—your organization must exercise more caution. You may invite candidates to speak at your Lights On Afterschool event, but only if you follow these rules:

  • The organization invites all candidates for a particular elective office;
  • All invitations are sent at the same time, and all non-responding candidates receive the same follow-up requests from the organization;
  • Any mention of candidates in publicity materials either A) provides all candidates with equal billing, or B) simply states that candidates will appear, without naming the candidates;
  • All candidates address the audience in the same portion of the speaking program (i.e., not giving one candidate a prominent spot, while the other is relegated to the end of the program);
  • Introductions of candidates are neutral and roughly equal (within what’s possible, given the candidates’ differing biographies);
  • All candidates are provided the same amount of time to speak;
  • Candidates either are free to speak on any topic they choose, or are asked to address the same general topic (i.e., asking them to discuss their views on afterschool care, but not asking them to agree or disagree with any particular platform or position of the organization); and
  • If any candidate is not able to make it to the event, or declines the invitation, an official of the organization should note that invitations were sent to all candidates, and that certain candidates were unable to attend.

All aspects of these requirements should be carefully documented by the host organization.

To summarize, when working with candidates use equal access and reach out to every candidate for that particular office with equal intention and no sign of organizational support for any one candidate over any other. But don’t fear: it’s easier than it may sound.

Visit our Campaign for Afterschool Toolkit for helpful guidelines to stay nonpartisan as well as resources to make the case that afterschool is a winning issue.