Although we haven’t had a Balloon Juice fundraiser for a few weeks, that doesn’t mean we’ve been standing by or standing down (so to speak). We’ve been in regular contact with most of our partner organizations for updates on their activities and to identify opportunities to assist them in efforts that match our goals.
We have a fantastic new opportunity with The Civics Center. The Civics Center, you will recall, is on a mission to register (or pre-register) High School students on the cusp of reaching voting age. We helped them expand their Fall 2024 registration drive to several metropolitan area high schools in swing states. Right now, the Civics Center is in the midst of their “Cap, Gown and Ballot” Spring voter registration drive. For more on the organization watch the two really 1-minute YouTube videos below, or click here.
The Civics Center is implementing a pilot plan in Pittsburgh (city) High Schools (plural) to inspire and empower youth voters and encourage greater participation in the political process.
We want to help fund this registration and engagement drive in Pittsburgh for this cycle.
This is an investment in the future – both in youth registration in general but in particular with an eye sharply-trained on the November 2025 Pennsylvania Supreme Court judicial retention election. Not to mention the 2026 midterms and 2028 general elections!
Like Wisconsin, PA is a critical swing state, and this PA Supreme Court judicial retention election is every bit as important as the Wisconsin Supreme Court election on April 1.
What does this entail?
Part 1.
With the help of The Civics Center and its partners, the students are holding candidate forums in their schools for the Pittsburgh mayoral race. These have been wildly successful, and have received local news coverage. The students feel heard and engaged.
Part 2.
This involves voter registration drives in those same schools, starting now and continuing into June (up to and including graduation week). The timing is especially important. Why?
There will be a retention election for THREE DEMOCRATIC justices on the seven-member Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
All of this sets the state for Part 3.
What The Civics Center is doing in this Pittsburgh and Allegheny County is a pilot program. Then they’ll be “taking it on the road.”
In summary, they are:
- Working in and helping to build a coalition of state and local groups
- Training students and educators in how to hold voter registration drives
- Providing data to illustrate the discrepancy, motivate stakeholders and track progress
- Creating an internship program for high school student leaders
- Deploying multiple opportunities for educators to get trained and involved in shaping their students’ civic futures.
Founder Laura Brill has already found $15,000 in external matches, and is hot on the trail of an additional donor to match our $25,000 goal.
The Civics Center is a 401 (c) 3 organization for those of you with potential employer matches.
For more on The Civics Center and the Pittsburgh push, you can check out Laura’s substack.
Can we do this? Are you guys up for this?
.
