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WELCOME!�How’s your day so far?

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Your Future is Now – VOTE for it!

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Good morning / good afternoon!

My name is ___.

My co-presenter is ___.

We are volunteers from the League of Women Voters of Greater Pittsburgh. The League is not just for women—we welcome anyone age 16 or older who agrees with our mission:

Empowering Voters and Defending Democracy.

We are a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization. That means we do not support or oppose any

political party or candidate. We focus on how election work, not who you vote for.

This year, some of you will turn 18. When that happens, you gain a new right as a citizen—the right to vote. We believe voting is powerful, and we are passionate about helping people, especially young , first-time voters use that

power.

Your future is happening now—and voting is one way to shape it.

How many of you are already 18?

How many will turn 18 on or before May 4, 2026?

How many of you are registered to vote?

Let’s celebrate those who already are!

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Why We Are Here

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To show you how voting is a powerful way to use your voice

To share why government participation is important

To give you information and resources so YOU can register to vote

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How do you feel about …..?

Government
Politics
Elections

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Americans have different views about everything!

AND THAT'S OK

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Skeptical V. Cynical��Which are YOU?

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WHO is a Citizen?

A person who by

place of birth

or

nationality of a parent

or

naturalization

is granted full rights and responsibilities of a nation

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What is Democracy?

A SYSTEM OF

GOVERNMENT IN

WHICH LAWS, POLICIES,

LEADERSHIP OF THE

COUNTRY,

ARE DECIDED BY THE CITIZENS

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What is a Constitution?��A document that:��

Serves as the foundational framework

Establishes the government’s structure powers and limitations

Defines the rights and duties of citizens

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The United States Constitution

Separates the powers of government into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial
Divides power between the states and the federal government
Establishes the system for electing representatives
Outlines many rights and freedoms of the people

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The Constitution was designed to be evolutionary

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Amendments in Action

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Ask the students: Who were the first people allowed to vote? White, male property owners.

At first, states decided who could vote. Over time, voting rights slowly expanded state by state. By 1857 property ownership was removed from all existing state requirements and All white men were allowed to vote.

After the Civil War, the 14th and 15th Amendments gave citizenship to all formerly enslaved people and voting rights to men. However, many Black Americans were still prevented from voting through unfair laws and practices. Ask the students: Have you ever heard about this?

Have you ever heard of a Poll tax- ( a fee required to vote which made it difficult for poor blacks and whites for that matter to vote) ? Or having to correctly guess the number of beans in a jar to be able to vote, or if your Grandfather voted then you could vote; Black Voters were also physically intimidated and bodily harmed if attempting to vote. Sadly, that practice carried well into the 20^th century- through the civil rights movement of the 1960’s.

And what about women?

Women were never included. We fought for decades for the right to vote. We too were threatened, imprisoned, had our children taken away and shunned by our families. In 1920, the 19th Amendment finally gave women that right—nearly 50 years after all men could vote.

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Why are we here today?

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How are YOU heard?

YOUR VOTE IS YOUR VOICE!

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Why do people vote?

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What does government do for you?

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What matters to You?

Climate Change
Healthcare
Foreign Policy
Immigration
Food Insecurity
Student Loans
Freedom of Speech

Jobs
Minimum Wage
People with Disabilities
Voting Rights
LGBTQ+ Issues
School and Gun Safety
Social Media

Community/ Police Relations
Fair Housing
Education Funding
Reproductive Rights
Mental Health
Social Security
Others?

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More reasons why YOU should be heard-� all 8.4 million of YOU!

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As a young voter YOU

Have the biggest stake in the future
Bring fresh ideas to old problems
Can help good ideas to filter up from the community level
Help shape your community
Have strong social connections

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�Who will make the decisions that impact YOU?�The voters that show up!�

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If you choose not to vote, other people will make decisions for you. You still have to follow those decisions — you just gave your power away. So ask yourself:

Who are you giving that power to? Does that matter to you?

Here is an example: The exercise numbers are easily divisible, so have the entire class stand up! We are using numbers from the most recent federal/state election in 2024.

“You represent all citizens ages 18- 24. You were all ELIGIBLE to register to vote in the 2024 federal general election” This was the largest block of eligible voters ever in this age group

-

-Do you know many young people did register to vote.

--If you said, about 56% of eligible young voters, you would be right- so half of the group sits down

“SO, of those remaining representing just 56% of you – how many DID vote? It was below half it was 47% Ask half of the remaining students to sit down.

So- we started with (class size) we are down to (however many)

“How do you feel about that? ( And we already know that we have different views so is your view represented. Does this accurately reflect your entire group?

--Is it good enough for your generation to be fairly represented in our country?”

Now here are the statistics for older voters: 90% of us are registered to vote, 75% of us voted in the 2024

What would the country look like if 75% of young voters VOTED? Would that make a difference for you?

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What happens if you

don’t vote?

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Nuts & Bolts

Let’s talk about:

Elections
How to Choose a Party
Registration

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ELECTIONS: What Kind and When?

Municipal/Local Elections

Odd Numbered Years

Mayor
Sheriff
City Council
County Council
School Board
Judges

Federal and State Elections

Even Numbered Years

US President
US Senators
US Representatives
PA Governor
PA Lieutenant Governor
PA State Senators
PA State Representatives

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How Often? Twice Each Year!

Primary Election -- Spring

Parties choose the candidate who will run for office in the fall
Separate ballots for each party

General Election -- Fall

First Tuesday in November
Open to all registered voters
Same ballot for everyone

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Only registered Republicans and Democrats can vote in Pennsylvania Primaries

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Not Sure What Party to Choose- if any?

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Take the

Pew Research Center/PBS quiz

�

Sample Question:

If you had to choose, would you rather have…

A smaller government providing fewer services

A bigger government providing more services

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Midterm Primary-- May 19, 2026

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The next election is Tuesday, May 19. It is a primary

If you turn 18 on or before May 19, you can register today and vote on the 19th.

 Registration deadline: May 4

This year you may hear this election referred to as a Midterm election.

A midterm election happens in the even numbered year midway between presidential elections. It determines which party controls Congress and the Pennsylvania General Assembly for the next two years. A midterm election is often seen as a commentary on the current administration.

In a primary- when multiple candidates are running you do determine the final candidates. For those who said they don’t vote because they do not like the candidates- the primary is when you have a say! Also, and sadly, voter turnout can be low in a primary SO your VOTE MEANS EVEN MORE!

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Open Positions on the PA Ballot

Governor of Pennsylvania

Lieutenant Governor

Pennsylvania State Representatives and State Senators

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The US Representative

for your district

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YOU can Register to Vote NOW

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ONLINE Voter � Registration

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Vote.pa.gov

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You can choose to register ONLINE or by a PAPER Form

CHOICE #1—Complete the ONLINE Form if you have a PA Driver’s License or PennDOT ID. (Your signature will be on file.)

Not a PA resident? Visit www.usa.gov to register to vote in your state!

Follow the Online Instructions (a few are highlighted below)
Online Voter Registration Application
#1 Legal name
Complete all checked boxes (#2 “Eligibility”; #3 “Reason”-”New Registration”)
#4 BIRTH DATE is required (18 years old on or by next election day)- mm/dd/YYYY
#4 Phone number and email are not required but are recommended if the County Election Office needs to contact you.
#5 Address; County is required; Municipality is not required
#7 Only one form of ID is required: EITHER your Driver’s License OR PennDot ID
#8 Political Party– can only vote in Primary Election if choose Democratic or Republican
#9- Voting Assistance– Skip unless you need physical assistance to vote
#10 Changing voter registration information—can do anytime
#11 Declaration- must check
#13 Poll Workers are needed!

Put the Municipal Election November 3 in your phone calendar RIGHT NOW!

Last day to register for the primary is October 19, 2026

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�� LOOK for this �� in your MAIL��Voter Registration �ENVELOPE� and � CARD��

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This official looking ENVELOPE will hold your Voter Registration ID Card.

After you send in your Voter Registration Application, and after you turn 18 years old, it may take 3 weeks before you receive this envelope in the mail with your VOTER REGISTRATION ID CARD inside.

Remember to look for it!

If you don’t receive your ID card after that time, contact your county election office. (The Allegheny County Elections Office can be reached at 412-350-4500.)

This sample VOTER REGISTRATION CARD;

shows your address, which political party you have chosen, if any (in capitals), and your polling place.

CONGRATULATIONS! You are now a REGISTERED VOTER!

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Your Voice Matters

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League of Women Voters of Greater Pittsburgh

Pew Research Center/PBS: Political Party Quiz:

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/where-do-you-fit-take-the-pew-political-party-quiz

PA ONLINE Voter Registration Instructions Video (LWVPGH):

https://youtu.be/5DwxjZevuUE?feature=shared

Nonpartisan Elections and Voting Websites:

Nonpartisan Candidate Information: http://www.Vote411.org

League of Women Voters of Greater Pittsburgh: www.lwvpgh.org

Nonpartisan Websites: Media Literacy

All Sides: allsides.org

Ballotpedia: ballotpedia.org

News Literacy Project: newslit.org

Digital Explainers: Download to Print for Handouts

Why Vote in 2026 Fed & State Elections: https://www.lwvpgh.org/docs.ashx?id=1685566

Roles and Duties of Elected Officials: https://www.lwvpgh.org/docs.ashx?id=1685569

3 Choices for College-Bound Students Postcard: https://www.lwvpgh.org/docs.ashx?id=1602682

What Sources Can You Trust: https://www.lwvpgh.org/docs.ashx?id=1290275

Mail-in Voting Flyer for Students: https://www.lwvpgh.org/docs.ashx?id=1282700

Make-a-Plan to Vote: https://www.lwvpgh.org/docs.ashx?id=725767

How to Pick a Candidate: https://www.lwvpgh.org/docs.ashx?id=879640

Know Your Rights: https://www.lwvpgh.org/docs.ashx?id=863151

Student Feedback for LWVPGH Presentation

Joanne Moore, Outreach Coordinator highschools@lwvpgh.org

Amy Kleissas, Director

3 Options to vote

Election Day

In Person

Early

Mail –In

Early using Mail-in at the elections office

There are 3 options for voting in Pennsylvania; Take advantage of at least one!

1. Election day in person at your polling place

2 When you register to vote, you can request a mail in ballot and mail it in! This can be a terrific option if you are not sure of where you might be on election day. Or if you will be tied up with a school project, work or family commitments, out of town, have the flu. And if you are away from your current residence next fall, like college, military or travelling, the mail in is a great option!

3. If you are an eligible voter and haven’t already requested a mail-in ballot, when they are available (about 30 days before an election), you can do something called “Over-the-Counter” voting. You’ll have to go to our county elections office and apply for a mail in ballot. They will give you the correct ballot for your district. You will vote your ballot and turn it back in. It really is “early voting”!

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Your future is now-vote for it!

“No one is born a good citizen; no nation is born a democracy. Rather, both are processes that continue to evolve over a lifetime. Young people must be included from birth. A society that cuts off from its youth severs its lifeline.”

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Kofi Annan

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Sources and Resources

PA Department of State website at www.pa.gov

League of Women Voters of Greater Pittsburgh Website at lwvpgh.org

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Resources

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Pew Research Center/PBS: Political Party Quiz:

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/where-do-you-fit-take-the-pew-political-party-quiz

PA ONLINE Voter Registration Instructions Video (LWVPGH):

https://youtu.be/5DwxjZevuUE?feature=shared

Nonpartisan Elections and Voting Websites:

Nonpartisan Candidate Information: http://www.Vote411.org

League of Women Voters of Greater Pittsburgh: www.lwvpgh.org

Nonpartisan Websites: Media Literacy

All Sides: allsides.org

Ballotpedia: ballotpedia.org

News Literacy Project: newslit.org Student Resources here

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��Elections Determine�Who Will � Work for � Your Issues��VOTE411.org for Candidate info��

Two MAJOR political parties in the US:

Democratic and Republican

Two smaller parties in PA:

Green and Libertarian
PA has no “Independent” party

IMPORTANT: By Pennsylvania state law, only voters registered in one of the two major political parties may participate in the Closed Primary Elections

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�VOTE in EACH of the “MIDTERM” Elections to Make Your Voice Heard!

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Creative Commons

www.stanbennettlaw.com

AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin

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