NextGen Wisconsin has become the largest youth voter organizing program in the state, already pledging over 45,000 young adults in Wisconsin to vote in the upcoming election Nov. 6.
Funded by an initial investment of $2.5 million from NextGen founder Thomas Steyer, NextGen Wisconsin is run by over 60 paid organizers and 300 volunteers at 26 college campuses across Wisconsin.
“Young people are potentially our largest and most diverse voting block in America’s history and we’re just making sure that voices are heard in this upcoming election,” George Olufosoye, Marquette alumnus and NextGen state youth director, said.
“There’s all these issues and we need representatives that step up to the plate and address those issues in a meaningful way,” Olufosoye said. “That’s why we’re doing the work that we’re doing right now in Wisconsin.”
NextGen is a national group encouraging voting all over the United States. Marquette University is one of many schools across the globe with a large NextGen presence.
“We’ve been doing a bunch of stuff on campus, making sure everyone knows that voting is super easy and they have the resources they need to vote,” Olufosoye said.
On campus, NextGen hosted a cider and cupcake giveaway, events with student groups and information tables to inform young people about issues and encourage them to register to vote.
Voter registration and encouragement is fueled by one-on-one conversations, Olufosoye said.
Students fill out pledge to vote cards on which they highlight issues they are passionate about and then NextGen follows up with them on those issues. After that initial follow up, NextGen provides students with necessary information about voter IDs, poll locations and absentee ballots.
Jack Land, a freshman in the College of Engineering, got involved as a volunteer with NextGen after filling out a pledge to vote card at one of their campus events.
“I think voting is important because it’s our civic duty and it has the biggest effect on our government and our daily lives,” Land said.
Land will be voting in his first general election Nov. 6 and said that before he was 18, it felt like he was sitting on the sidelines without a say in many decisions that affected him.
“Now I can finally have a say in the government and have my voice be heard on issues that matter to me,” Land said.
Having young people’s voices be heard is one of NextGen’s driving factors, Olufosoye said.
“One message I would give to folks is that their one vote matters,” Olufosoye said.
Despite advocating for progressive issues such as gun safety, immigration and LGBTQ rights, NextGen encourages all young people regardless of party affiliation to be informed voters.
In Wisconsin, residents can vote early or register to vote the day of the election, Olufosoye said.
“Early voting is the easiest way to vote,” Olufosoye said. “All you need to do is go up to City Hall or the Zeidler Municipal Building, provide your ID and proof of residence and you can just cash your ballot.”
NextGen volunteers at Marquette are offering students rides Oct. 30 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. to early vote.
Mireya Mercado, a senior in the College of Communication and student fellow of NextGen, said many students didn’t even know there was an election happening Nov. 6. She said she was asked if the election was a presidential election.
“People just don’t know enough about local elections or even national elections that are happening,” Mercado said. “NextGen gives students this information and makes sure they have plans to vote.”
Mercado has been a volunteer with NextGen for seven months, organizing events on campus, creating a volunteer team, recruiting students to make pledge to vote cards and making sure everyone is excited to vote.
“As young people, we need to show up to the polls so that we can have representation in Congress for issues that we as young people care about,” Mercado said. “There’s no reason you shouldn’t vote. If you don’t vote, you don’t have a voice.”
