Building youth power in Oregon

Because of our work, 93.7% of eligible Oregonian’s are registered to vote.

Believing in the power of the youth vote has led us to massive victories. Since 2007, Next Up has championed policies to redesign our elections system in order to breakdown systemic barriers and amplify marginalized communities. These efforts have helped make Oregon the #1 easiest state to vote in, with 90.2% of the state registered to vote. We passed online voter registration, the nation’s first automatic voter registration (AVR) law, created a pre-registration program for 16 and 17-year-olds, passed Paid Postage for ballots, and have championed accessibility and language improvements.

Two people holding ballots.

2007

One of the biggest barriers to voting is registration. By getting 16 and 17-year-olds registered to vote before they turn 18, we’re helping build good habits and strong voters. We led the charge for pre-registration in 2007, securing pre-registration for 17-year-olds.

2008

Formed the Bus Federation (now the Alliance for Youth) as a part of the Bus Project, developing a national hub for youth organizing.

2009

Passed online voter registration and voter registration accessibility requirements for all high schools in Oregon, through a legislative campaign coordinated by Youth Vote Coalition (Bus, Oregon Student Association, & OSPIRG). This was also the year that the idea for Automatic Voter Registration was born. 

2010

Won creation of the state National Voter Registration Compliance Act, focused on improving voter registration at public assistance agencies, in collaboration with Oregon Common Cause.