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Report: More States Are Giving Students a Say in Education Policy

Asher Lehrer-Small

September 19, 2022 |

The 74 |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Massachusetts

At least 33 states now involve students in education policymaking through formal advisory roles or positions on state boards, and these youth have helped spearhead changes, such as a Massachusetts rule requiring student feedback to be considered in the teacher evaluation process and a Washington bill creating school-based liaisons to coordinate homelessness services.

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Poll worker shortage? Alabama unconcerned but recruiting underway

John Sharp

September 18, 2022 |

AL.com (Alabama Media Group) |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Alabama

In 2019, Alabama passed a law allowing high school students to become interns at election polling sites, where they assist with computerized pollbooks, greet voters, and hand out stickers. In one county, more than 70 students participated last year, and more than 150 applied to work on the recent state primary.

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Douglas County woman strengthens democracy through ballot pickup service

Dominic Bhola

September 15, 2022 |

Nebraska News Service |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Nebraska

In Douglas County, Nebraska, a volunteer effort called Ballot Buddies collects sealed mail-in ballots from voters and delivers them to official Election Commission drop boxes. During the 2020 presidential election, vetted volunteers delivered hundreds of ballots at a time when the U.S. Postal Service was experiencing significant delays related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Behind the scenes of free and fair elections in New Jersey's Warren County

Jennie Aylward

September 15, 2022 |

CivicStory |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New Jersey

To ensure election security, the Board of Elections in Warren County, New Jersey, provides oversight for every step of the voting process, from troubleshooting issues at polling sites on Election Day to reaching out to voters to help them "cure" mistakes made on mail-in ballots. Warren County has not had a recount since 2013, when it upheld the result of a primary election in which the candidates were separated by only 18 votes.

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Braver Angels Is Bridging the Political Divide

Mo Perry

September 14, 2022 |

Minnesota Monthly |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Minnesota

Drawing on family social science around marriage, relationships, and connection-building across divides, Braver Angels' Red/Blue workshops bring Republicans and Democrats together for nuanced, candid conversations aimed at reducing political polarization. The discussions ask participants to speak not only about the reasons for their views, but also the potential negative aspects of their own "side," which helps create a foundation of openness to disagreement.

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Youth climate councils aim to locally combat climate crisis

Marianne Dhenin

September 12, 2022 |

Prism |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, San Antonio, Texas

Through the San Antonio Mayor's Youth Engagement Council, students network with municipal officials, conduct research, and complete community-based projects to help them develop policy proposals around issues such as the climate crisis. Participants have organized workshops and collected food and hygiene donations to support vulnerable residents and say serving on the council has provided them a venue to work on issues that are important to them.

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How to Fix America's Confusing Voting System

Aliyya Swaby Annie Waldman

September 12, 2022 |

ProPublica |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States

The Center for Civic Design helps states simplify ballot and registration forms to make their voting processes more accessible for people with low literacy, who are more likely to struggle with the complex language of most election materials. Such reforms have led to fewer ballots being rejected, including in New York, where a redesigned absentee ballot helped the number of rejected ballots drop from 22 percent to just 4 percent.

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The life-changing power of West Virginia's only queer youth summer camp

Nico Lang

September 07, 2022 |

Xtra |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Weston, West Virginia

The Appalachian Queer Youth Summit, West Virginia's only summer camp for LGBTQ2S+ teenagers, provides a welcoming venue for campers to explore their identities and connect with other queer youth, all while building skills in storytelling, advocacy, citizen lobbying, and knowing your rights. Participants have gone on to advocate for changes in their state, successfully driving efforts to ban conversion therapy at the municipal level, and have also formed a tight-knit community that extends beyond the camp grounds.

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Primary Turnout Surged in Wards 7 and 8. Mail-In Voting Is a Big Reason Why.

Alex Koma

August 23, 2022 |

Washington City Paper |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Washington, District of Columbia

Following the expansion of mail-in voting during the COVID-19 pandemic, Washington, D.C. mailed a ballot directly to every eligible voter in its 2022 primary election. The strategy is considered a crucial factor contributing to increased voter turnout in two of the city's poorest and most underserved wards, which saw their highest percentage of eligible voters casting ballots since the 2010 primary.

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South Africans say apps step in where government fails

Kim Harrisberg

August 17, 2022 |

Thomson Reuters Foundation |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: South Africa

Apps are providing vital services when the South African government is unable to do so. From informing citizens of power cuts to filling in potholes and seeking mental health, these citizen-build resources are addressing community issues and even creating employment opportunities.

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