ABOUT US.

The National VOTE (Voter Outreach, Turnout, and Empowerment) Movement was founded in 2024 in Walpole, Massachusetts, after a troubling revelation: despite 78% of residents being registered, voter turnout in local elections was only 8%. Town governments handle trillions of dollars from taxpayers, utilizing funds for essential facilities such as recreation, housing, and zoning. This gap between registration and participation highlighted a serious issue—people were simply not aware of local elections or the candidates involved.

 

Conversations with community members revealed that many residents did not understand the impact of local elections on their everyday lives, leading to widespread disengagement.

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The VOTE Movement seeks to bridge this gap by providing accessible and nonpartisan voter education to communities, focusing on the importance of local elections. In Walpole, we began by creating easy-to-read voter digital brochures that included important election details, candidate information, and the significance of each race. We spread awareness about these brochures at local senior centers, grocery stores, the newspaper, social media groups, and more. These brochures quickly gained traction, with over 1,000 QR code scans from local residents—proof that when people are provided with the right information, they are more likely to engage with the electoral process.

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Our mission is to ensure that every eligible voter, particularly young people, has access to the information they need to make informed decisions and participate in their local government. We want to empower communities by showing them the tangible impact their votes have on everything from local school policies to town ordinances. By creating educational resources and organizing outreach efforts, the VOTE Movement hopes to shift the narrative around local elections, making them just as exciting and impactful as national elections.

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As we continue to expand the VOTE Movement nationally, we are focused on recruiting young leaders through our Town Ambassador Program. High school students across the country are taking up the charge to help their peers understand the importance of voting in local elections, with the ultimate goal of increasing voter turnout nationwide. Local elections are vital—they shape the policies that directly affect people’s daily lives. Yet, many communities remain underrepresented because of low voter turnout.

 

Nationally, the issue of low voter participation in local elections is pervasive. Studies show that the average turnout for local elections in the U.S. hovers around 20%, with some cities and states seeing even lower numbers. In places like California, some local elections see voter participation as low as 15%. This trend is not just a numbers problem—it’s a civic engagement problem. The VOTE Movement aims to turn this around by ensuring that voters are informed and motivated to participate.

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By focusing on voter education, community outreach, and empowerment, the National VOTE Movement is creating a movement of young people who care deeply about making a difference in their communities. Through our national expansion efforts, we’re building a future where every voice is heard and every vote matters.