By Bill LitvinLeague of Women Voters of Berks County
As of September, less than 36% of 18-year-olds in Berks County were registered to vote, the lowest rate among the Pennsylvania counties surveyed.
In response, the League of Women Voters of Berks County issued a call to action last spring, bringing together a coalition of organizations including Centro Hispano, the Reading NAACP, and PA Youth Vote. By integrating PA Youth Vote’s nonpartisan high school voter engagement resources and strategy, this collaborative effort aims to transform the culture of youth voting and encourage more young people to participate in the electoral process.
This initiative is an ongoing campaign aimed at empowering newly eligible 18-year-olds in Berks County to actively participate in the political process. Rather than focusing on a single election, local nonpartisan organizations are collaborating to promote year-round civic engagement among young voters, ensuring their voices are heard beyond just November.
We know that Berks County young people care deeply about the issues that affect their lives and their families, and this initiative is here to support them in making those connections — helping them see how their vote matters and empowering them to take action.
By partnering with schools and offering resources, the group aims to help students not only register to vote but engage in the political process in a meaningful way.
From learning about down-ballot races to understanding the local impact of elections, this initiative is about creating informed, lifelong voters.
We all have a role to play to help students develop the civic skills that have been entrusted to us by the 26th Amendment to the Constitution — the right and responsibility to vote at age 18.
Our state laws and academic standards require and support voter registration in Pennsylvania schools, and in August the coalition met with high school principals and the Berks County Intermediate Unit to propose a plan to help students register, and to provide nonpartisan curriculum resources to teach civics and to research the candidates in every election.
Now, with a starter grant from the Berks County Community Foundation, PA Youth Vote and local partners are ready to help provide the support that Berks school faculty and students need to do the hard work of encouraging both registration and an ongoing involvement in the political process.
The initiative will provide stipends to faculty members and students who step up as leaders in their schools. These faculty “Voter Champions” and student “Team Captains” will help guide schoolwide registration efforts and encourage civic involvement, ensuring that young people feel empowered and supported as they navigate their first elections.
This approach has been successful in other areas, like Philadelphia, where youth voter turnout has increased significantly thanks to similar efforts. By focusing on one-on-one conversations and peer-to-peer engagement, we believe Berks County students can see the same success, turning out in numbers that reflect their commitment to their futures.
The initiative is also about building community. It’s about coming together to support young people as they take their first steps into adulthood and civic responsibility. We’re calling on local educators, students, and community members to get involved and help guide the next generation of voters. There’s no experience needed — just a willingness to help create a culture of civic engagement.
Together, we can ensure that Berks County’s youth are registered, informed, and ready to vote, making sure they have the tools they need to shape the future they want.
Written on behalf of the Berks Mobilization Beyond Registration Initiative: Bill Litvin and Jolee Harclerode, League of Women Voters; Sheree Haubrich and Diane Horn, NAACP, Reading Branch; Laura Cordero, Centro Hispano; Thomas Quinn, PA Youth Vote.
