Ariana S., a senior at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Magnet Center, is increasing voter turnout in her community through the launch of her nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, Gen-Z Votes.
“It was made in response to the low turnout numbers in my community. Basically, I started conversations about getting involved in politics,” she said. “When I saw a really positive response, I started reaching out to other people from around the country to see if they wanted to start leading these conversations in their community and raising turnout numbers nationwide.”
After interning with a voting nonprofit over the summer, Ariana was invited to a White House roundtable discussion, representing Texas and advocating for increased voter participation. She began organizing registration and get-out-the-vote drives with a volunteer deputy registrar and a $50 raffle giveaway. Her work extends nationwide, sparking conversations about civic engagement.
“The only way that we can make our government and protect our democracy and make it everything that we want it to be is for all of us, no matter what age, to vote,” Ariana said. “When I’m out in the community, my mission is not just about the number of people who register to vote. I try to have at least one conversation that impacts someone or one voter registration form given out to somebody who wouldn’t have registered otherwise.
