Regional Youth Vote16 Co-Chair

Regional Youth Vote16 Co-Chair

 

Compensation: $350/month
Time Commitment: 10 hours/week (varies by week; flexible based on school, activities, and availability)
Term Length: 6-month renewable terms depending on interest, viability, and funding. 
Positions Available: 4 total (one per region)
To apply: Please fill out this form, and we will be in touch. The deadline for applications is Jan 12. 

Program Overview

The Washington Youth Alliance Action Fund’s Vote16 Co-Chair program creates paid leadership opportunities for high school students to advance the Vote16 initiative and youth organizing campaigns in Central, Eastern, and Southwest Washington. This program is designed specifically for young people with no prior experience—we provide comprehensive training and support to help youth become effective organizers for our generation.

About Washington Youth Alliance Action Fund

Washington Youth Alliance Action Fund (WYA/AF) is a 501(c)(4) organization that serves as the statewide, youth‑led organizing homebase where young people turn grassroots power into political action. It combines issue campaigns, policy advocacy, and direct engagement with lawmakers to elevate youth voices on issues such as mental health funding, gun‑violence prevention, and expansion of voting rights.

About Vote16

Vote16 is an international movement to extend voting rights to 16- and 17-year-olds. In Washington State, this would include voting for city council, school board, and local ballot measures that directly impact young people's daily lives. Cities like College Park, MD and Berkeley, CA have successfully implemented Vote16. Our strategy involves building youth power through both advocacy efforts and ballot measure campaigns, adapting our approach to what's possible in each community.

The initiative recognizes that 16- and 17-year-olds work, pay taxes, and are affected by local policies, yet have no formal voice in these decisions. By lowering the voting age for local elections, we can increase civic engagement, improve voter turnout habits, and ensure youth perspectives are represented in local governance.

Regional Assignments

Central Washington Co-Chair, Yakima, Kittitas, Klickitat, Benton, Franklin Counties

North West Washington Co-Chair, Whatcom, Skagit, Island Counties

Eastern Washington Co-Chair, Spokane, Stevens, Ferry, Pend Oreille, Lincoln, Adams, Garfield, Whitman Counties

Southwest Washington Co-Chair, Thurston, Lewis, Grays Harbor, Pacific, Cowlitz, Wahkiakum, Clark Counties

Leadership & Support

Each Youth Co-Chair will work directly with:

• Organizing Coordinator: Your primary day-to-day support for campaign planning, volunteer coordination, and regional strategy
• Executive Director: Provides strategic guidance, connects you with stakeholders, and ensures you have resources needed for success

You're not doing this alone - you will have a team of other young people on your side to help you from start to finish. 

Core Responsibilities

1. Execute Regional Campaign Strategy- Working closely with the Organizing Coordinator and Executive Director who will work with you to come up with the plan in your area, you will:

• Help implement Vote16 campaign activities in your region's priority cities
• Conduct outreach to youth groups, schools, and community organizations
• Organize and attend meetings with local stakeholders
• Coordinate & attend signature collection efforts (where applicable)
• Track and report on campaign activities and progress
• Adapt messaging and tactics based on local response and feedback

Goal: Understand what goes into building youth-led campaigns and practice foundational organizing skills.

2. Mobilize Youth and Community Partners With extensive support and training from staff, you will:

• Recruit youth volunteers for campaign activities
• Represent the campaign at community events and coalition meetings
• Help organize youth-focused events (town halls, info sessions, trainings)
• Build relationships with student councils and youth programs
• Support partners in their Vote16 efforts

Goal: Build confidence and core leadership skills in communication, outreach, and partnership building.

3. Learning & Skill Development 

• Participate in comprehensive weekly training sessions
• Learn organizing fundamentals through hands-on practice
• Shadow experienced organizers and learn by doing
• Join strategy calls to understand campaign decision-making
• Practice and develop core skills: public speaking, volunteer coordination, event planning
• Document field experiences and share learnings with the team

Goal: Develop a well-rounded foundation in youth organizing, public leadership, and civic engagement.

Day-to-Day Activities:

• Tabling at schools and community events
• Attending and speaking at local government meetings
• Collecting signatures and training others to do so
• Posting on social media about campaign activities
• Participating in team meetings and trainings
• Connecting with people in your community about Vote16

Participation varies week-to-week and is intended to support learning. 

Core Requirements

• Be able to commit to the full six month program (Feb-July)
• Be excited to learn and engage in youth-led civic work
• Communicate proactively about availability, school commitments, and support needs

Optional but highly recommended:

• Attend our youth day of action in Olympia on Feb 4 (with transportation & training provided)

To apply: Please fill out this form, and we will be in touch. The deadline for applications is Jan 12.