With a focus on our service learning mission, Dickerson Center for Civic Responsibility, Inc. (Dickerson Center), a local 501 (c)(3), is launching a campaign in the fall of 2019 to utilize young people in an effort to increase voter registration and participation as engaged citizens. Some research indicates voter participation rates among young people in the United States are at an all-time low. Many haven’t learned how to register to vote, but of young people who are registered to vote turn out in high numbers. We will help make sure 100% of eligible voters in your school who will turn 18 over the next year are registered voters. A healthy democracy needs well-informed, active citizens. But these citizens don’t just magically appear; people learn citizenship.
We propose a yearlong Senior Class Project-Project Vote designed to expand voting to this population by asking them to register to vote and vote in local, state and national elections. In addition to educating students on their civic responsibility, this service learning program is also a strategy to enhance leadership skills among young people.
The primary role of Dickerson Center, the lead agency, is to convene a coalition of partners who will work collectively to implement the unique provision of the Texas Election Code that requires all high school principals – public and private- to serve as Deputy Voter Registrars. In this capacity, Texas high school principals “shall distribute an officially prescribed registration application form to each student who is or will be 18 years of age or older during that year”. In collaboration with schools, Dallas County Elections and League of Women Voters, we will assist young people in conducting a voter registration drive. Service learning credit will be awarded to students who participate in Project Vote.
With the assistance of a school leader, students will develop an action plan to implement Project Vote in their school. Once you notify us of your participation, we will see that the school receives a specially designed curriculum from the League of Women Voters to create a voter registration campaign among their peers.
Please join us in helping cultivate lifelong voters. The future of our cities, state and nation depend on it. Please RSVP by emailing us no later than August 30, 2019.
Contact:
Mrs. Linda Lamar
President
Dickerson Center for Civic Responsibility, Inc.
contact@dickersonciviccenter.org
888.381.2547
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