In the 1860s and the 2010s, young people created movements that changed the outcomes of elections in significant ways. A club of young Northerners, The Wide Awakes became one of the most influential campaign movements in American history and contributed to the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860. In recent elections, youth voters took to the polls and drove election results at all levels. They are part of an enduring tradition of young people participating in and impacting elections. This election year, ask yourself: How will you shape the future? The Young People Shake Up Elections (History Proves It) video series from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History shares 10 stories of young people shaping and changing elections throughout American history. The series, along with additional stories and resources can be found at s.si.edu/youth-democracy. The Young People Shake Up Elections (History Proves It) video series was made possible by the Wallace H. Coulter Foundation│Sue Van.
