Evidence suggest that young people are not engaging in the U.S. political process, specifically in the area of voting. Our mission is to empower young people with informative research to help them know why to vote, how to vote, and whom to vote for. We hope that through bringing awareness to the community, young voters will understand the power of voting and step up to the plate when elections come around.

 

According to recent studies, many young adults in the area are unsure about where they stand politically, and few see the act of voting as a necessary civic duty. Click here to learn more about what demographics of young adults will be making their way to the polls this season (and who will be at home binge-watching Netflix).

 

Catherine Payne, a college senior working on this project, says “As a senior in college, I knew next to nothing about politics and getting involved in the government before working on this project. However, it was easy to quickly become passionate about our government and local politics... I am thankful that this project has better equipped me for graduating and joining the professional world because I know how to become well informed, involved, and knowledgeable about political issues.”

 

The process of learning how to register to vote is grueling enough - throw in an absentee ballot and an impossible location for voting polls and the procedure feels impossible. Want easy access to a simple, step-by-step process for how, where, and when to register to vote? Click here!

 

With its rich history in the Civil Rights Movement and deeply rooted southern pride, this “sweet home” of Alabama is colored in political hues of all shades and tones. Haley Joe Febrey, a junior working on this project says “The history of voting rights in America reflects how far we have come as a nation and the privilege it is to vote! I hope readers feel encouraged and motivated to practice their right to vote in this election season.” Click here and learn more about the history of voting and how it affects young adults today as they make their way to voting polls for yet another round of midterm elections.

 

Birmingham is a fast-growing city with a lot of potential and a whole lot of spunk. With all this new development, Iron City is rapidly changing, bringing in new opportunity and new challenges. Issues that you can learn about is how political candidates and what they represent will affect the environment, healthcare, education and our rights within the amendments.Hannah Looper, a junior working on this project says “The environment is an important aspect when it comes to voting, because it is important to educate the public in an effort to raise awareness for these environment issues, so that the public is aware about them when voting.”

 

Another example being the 2nd amendment has been a long-standing topic of controversy for the nation, but it’s a key component of the issues at hand here in Birmingham. Baylor Cook, senior working on this project says “With the political polarity existent, surrounding the 2nd Amendment and gun violence, this issue is one that will be at the forefront of voters minds. So adequately explaining both sides of the issue, in order to have the most informed voting populace, is of the utmost importance. The future rests in the hands of the voters” Click here to learn more about issues in the area and how the manipulation and abuse of these rights has oppressed the community.

 

Our hope is that as you navigate this site your questions will be answered on the political issues Birmingham faces, who votes, who runs for office, the process of voting and why it’s important. As citizens of the United States of America we have a right to vote, and some may argue that it is our duty to execute that right.