Bridging the Opportunity Divide:

Civic Engagement

Year Up Puget Sound’s 2012 Walk for Opportunity

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Agree/Disagree

• I believe that voting benefits both me individually and my community.• I believe that politicians in my city, state, and

country understand and represent my own and my community’s interests. • I believe that my level of education should

determine whether I am heard and understood by my government.• I believe that young adults should be a primary

concern for politicians. • I believe that, if I am eligible and don’t have

religious objections to voting, then it is my civic duty to do so.

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Who votes in America?

Politics is as much about those who do vote as it is about those who don’t.

US politics is dominated by the wealthy, the old, and the educated.

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Why does civic disengagement matter?

Civic disconnectio

n

Low voter turnout and limited self-advocacy

Political priorities are

placed elsewhere

Public funding follows political priorities elsewhere

Low wages and limited

career prospects

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Civic Disconnection Breeds Political Irrelevancy, Which Breeds Civic Disconnection

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Civic Engagement and Social Movement Building Looks Different In Different Cities

Year Up Atlanta, 2011

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Civic Engagement and Social Movement Building Looks Different In Different Cities

Year Up Boston, 2011

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Civic Engagement and Social Movement Building Looks Different In Different Cities

Year Up National Capital Region, 2011

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Civic Engagement & Social Movement Building

What does civic engagement look like:

For you? For us?

How do we make sure that we are no longer bystanders? Register to vote Talk to our networks What else?