Campus Democracy Fellowship
Leadership Development
The Student Action Alliance provides trainings on organizing, base building, and getting out the vote (GOTV) to develop the next generation of civic leaders. Our trainings have prepared students to run campaigns for student government, city council, and issue areas they are passionate about like student loan debt and the treatment of unhoused community members. Our alumni network includes campus, community, and non-profit leadership positions.
Advocacy
Members of the alliance advocate for change on their campus, in their community, in their state legislature, and in congress. The voting rights advocacy skills they develop allow them to advocate for changes on a variety of issues such as cannabis legalization, reproductive rights, LGBTQ rights, community resources, and criminal justice reform.
Voter Education
The work doesn’t stop at a completed voter registration form, it is just beginning. Every year, Common Cause collects hundreds of pledges to vote to provide young people with the tools they need to cast their ballot with confidence. We want to make sure they know how to research candidates, where to find nonpartisan information, how to find their polling site, and help them determine their best option for when to vote. Young people move around a lot so understanding their current location’s voting laws can be confusing. It is also important that young people understand the impact their vote can make in regard to the changes that want to see.
Voter Mobilization
The Student Action Alliance works to make voting fun and exciting! From parties at the polls to arranging transportation to the polls and text banking thousands of people reminders, our members spend countless hours making sure that young people turn out to vote.
Voter Protection
The alliance also trains hundreds of young people to be election protection volunteers every election cycle. We know that if someone young experiences an issue they are more likely to express their concern with someone who they can identify with. We prioritize putting youth volunteers at polling sites on and near college campuses. In 2020, we were also able to recruit young people to monitor social sites for disinformation and to connect those posting about voting issues to the election protection hotline.
Alumni
The Student Action Alliance alumni network participate in special events throughout the year and share professional development and career opportunities. Some of the special events include issue briefings, fireside chats with Common Cause staff and partners, panels, trainings, and community service opportunities.
