“Democracy Day” is the celebration of young people’s role in our democracy. Schools celebrate Democracy Day by bringing Rock the Vote’s Democracy Class into their classrooms and educating their students about our country’s elections process and the power of their participation and creating a moment they will never forget.
In 2011, Rock the Vote announced the first-ever Democracy Day, on March 23, which marked the 40th anniversary of the 26th Amendment, granting 18 year olds the right to vote. Since then, over three thousand schools, in all 50 states, have taught Democracy Class – with hundreds of elected officials and celebrities joining the students, teachers and educators to celebrate the Day.
We invite you to join us in 2013 on March 22, 2013 (because the 23rd falls on Saturday this year) or any day this school year to host a “Democracy Day” in your classroom.
Here are a few highlights:
- Glee’s Darren Criss hosted a Democracy Day celebration at Alexander Hamilton High School in Los Angeles, CA, teaching a Democracy Class and leading a rally at lunchtime.
- US Representative Jay Inslee joined students at Lake Washington High School in Kirkland, Washington.
- Secretary of State Jon Husted led Democracy Class at LaBrae High School in Northeast Ohio.
- The School District of Philadelphia taught Democracy Class in more than 35 of the city’s high schools.
- Hip-hop duo the New Boyz brought Democracy Class on a three-city tour through Detroit, Cleveland and Cincinnati.
- Jermaine Dupri teamed up with State Senator Jason Carter to teach Democracy Class in Atlanta.
- The Youth Policy Institute, the largest after school program in the country, taught Democracy Class in dozens of its high schools in Los Angeles with Vampire Diaries star and singer Kat Graham, NFL players Shawne Merriman and Bernard Berrian, Major League Soccer pro Jimmy Conrad and rappers David Banner and Asher Roth.
- Platinum-selling artist Jason Derulo surprised students at Bronx Guild High School teaching Democracy Class and registering the seniors to vote.
About Democracy Class
Rock the Vote's Democracy Class program is designed to educate and excite high school students about voting and elections. This nonpartisan lesson plan uses music, pop culture, video, classroom discussion and a mock election to teach young people the skills to navigate the elections process and engage as active citizens. For more information visit democracyclass.com.
About Rock the Vote
Rock the Vote’s mission is to engage and build political power for young people in our country.
Rock the Vote works with artists and musicians to engage young people in the political process. Over the last two decades, Rock the Vote has registered more young people to vote than any other organization or campaign, including more than a million people in 2012’s elections, and has become the best-informed place online where young people can find out what they need to know before casting a ballot.
After years of declining participation at the polls, a new generation of young voters has arrived. Millions of new voters between the ages of 18 – 29 cast ballots in 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2012. Rock the Vote is dedicated to building the political power and clout of this Millennial Generation by registering and turning out young people, by forcing the candidates to campaign to them, and by making politicians pay attention to youth and the issues they care about once in office. |
