Anchorage Youth Vote is a nonpartisan organization that works to empower youth to vote and be engaged in the democratic process. In a normal year they would be putting on mock elections, hosting candidate forums for state-wide races, and getting into the community to educate youth about the rights and responsibilities of living in a democratic society.

This year, as we all know, is quite different. There is a presidential election, but when you add on an increasingly divided political climate, ongoing protests over systemic racism and police brutality, and a global pandemic, Youth Vote’s work becomes much more challenging.

So on today’s episode we’re going to hear from two of the organization’s members. Tuan Graziano, who has been a member since 2014, and Ava Earl, who’s been with them for about a month now.

They spoke with ATMI producers Riley Taylor and Daisy Carter over Zoom on October 18th, 2020.

Hosted by Jeremiah Freeman.

Music by Kendrick Whiteman.

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Alaska Teen Media Institute is based in Anchorage, Alaska. We would like to acknowledge the Dena’ina people, whose land we work on.

Many thanks to supporters of our podcast including the Anchorage Museum, United Way of Anchorage, the Alaska Humanities Forum, and the National Endowment for the Humanities. The views expressed in this program do not necessarily represent the views of the National Endowment for the Humanities or other sponsors.