Washington, D.C. — Though a growing number of states, from Georgia to Texas, are making it harder for their citizens to vote and are introducing barriers to civic engagement for young people, one state is bucking that trend. Oregon has enacted a series of reforms over the past several years that improve access to the ballot box for all eligible citizens—including enacting automatic voter registration (AVR). As the first state to do so, Oregon serves as a national model for an inclusive democracy and has one of the highest voter participation rates in the country.
On Thursday, February 21, Gov. Kate Brown (D-OR) will join Winnie Stachelberg, executive vice president for External Affairs at the Center for American Progress, to discuss a new CAP report that illustrates the success of AVR and preregistration policies in registering and empowering eligible young people to vote. Gov. Brown and Stachelberg will also discuss how Oregon became a model for voter empowerment in the face of renewed, large-scale, voter suppression efforts.
The event will also launch Generation Progress’s youth voter story bank. “Our Voice, Our Vote” will serve as a tool to collect real anecdotes from real people and show lawmakers across the country the challenges that young people face when exercising their right to vote.
Press are welcome to RSVP by following this link.
Not in Washington, D.C.? Bookmark this link to watch the live webcast.
Opening remarks:
Winnie Stachelberg, Executive Vice President for External Affairs, Center for American Progress
In conversation:
Gov. Kate Brown (D-OR)
Moderated by:
Winnie Stachelberg, Executive Vice President for External Affairs, Center for American Progress
WHEN
Thursday, February 21, 2019
10 a.m.–11 a.m. EST
WHERE
Center for American Progress
1333 H Street NW, 10th floor
Washington, D.C. 20005
For more information, please contact Julia Cusick at [email protected] or 202-495-3682.