a movement in the making
We hosted the first-ever South Carolina Young Voters Summit in collaboration with SOLVE, bringing together 30 young leaders from across the state for a day designed by and for young South Carolinians.
Through peer-led discussions, interactive workshops, and hands-on trainings, attendees sharpened their organizing & advocacy skills and built community. The SOLVE team broke down systemic barriers using game-based learning models from their 2024 State of the South Report , highlighting how voter disenfranchisement in particular impacts young voters, voters of color, and people with disabilities Courtney, Sam, Isabella, Dylan, and Torrey shared what sparked their local activism & how they sustain their work. Isabella spoke about the emotional toll of advocacy, reminding us of the importance of rest and community Kyle, Sam, and Davis led a training on how to mobilize peers ahead of the election
“I’m motivated to just do something small - that’s better than doing nothing at all.”
One of the most powerful moments came during an interactive workshop where they identified voting challenges - missed
registration deadlines, lack of transportation, ballot confusion. We then asked participants:
“If you had six weeks and a small budget, how would you remove one of these barriers - for yourself and someone else?"
The room buzzed with ideas as they collaborated on imagining creative solutions. But we didn’t just ask them to imagine solutions - we gave them the resources to make it real. Each received a small stipend and support to bring their idea to life, with one condition: part had to help them vote, and part had to help someone else. One hosted a “Let’s Taco ‘Bout Voting” event with free tacos to help make voting plans. Another covered a family member’s transportation to the polls. Another
“I walked in not knowing anyone. I walked out with some new friends and information I needed as an 18-year-old first time-voter.”
used funny doodles to educate peers on local races. Young leaders left the Summit feeling more hopeful, excited, and supported.
highlights highlights
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