My Future, My Vote ($5,000)

Location: Cambridge Rindge and Latin School for three years.

Cost: $5,000

Committee: Community Resources

Short Description: Give a "vote tote" bag to all young voters with information on local, state, and federal elections and voter registration. The City and student groups will hold a design contest for each year's tote bag.

Long Description: In Cambridge, newborns receive a tote bag with books and guides about reading to babies. Yet when people turn 18 they get no similar support. Many want their voices heard but may feel unsure about the steps to take or overwhelmed by the process, sometimes accompanied by feelings of shame. To welcome young people into the voting process and encourage a generation of new voters to be engaged and informed citizens, we propose distributing “vote totes” with nonpartisan voter information.

The tote would be distributed to all new voters (regardless of age) at CRLS to any students who want them (although priority should be given to those 17-19). The tote would include a voter registration form, instructions to check registration (including pre-registered voters), guidance on where and how to vote, and clear explanations of early voting, vote-by-mail, proportional representation, local and federal elections. It would also provide resources to find current elected representatives and answers to common voting questions. One way to encourage participation and community ownership of this initiative is to hold a contest for the tote design. Members of the public could submit designs, and CRLS could encourage students to submit their designs.

It's time for us to welcome these young adults and celebrate their new role as voters.

A City of Cambridge "I Voted" sticker