The Issue:

In the United States you have the right  to vote when you turn 18. New, young voters often face unique obstacles to voting than older populations, resulting in lower youth turnout. New young voters may have difficulty or confusion with registration, issues with voter ID laws, conflicts with work or school, or a general lack of knowledge about their voting rights and access to the ballot box. Young people of color can face even more barriers, with many predominantly Black and brown communities having fewer polling stations and more limited hours of operation.

Voting is a right and a privilege, but it is also a big responsibility. Voting ensures that everyone’s voice is heard and that leaders represent all of America. If new voters have difficulty turning out to vote, our democracy fails to represent the youth voice.

The good news is that over the past few years, young voters have begun to overcome the challenges to break turnout records. The bad news though is that they’ve become the target of voter suppression efforts, specifically the rise of voter ID laws and attempts to remove polling sites from college campuses. The act of voting allows us to support people and initiatives that we believe will benefit our communities – young people’s voices need to be heard.

The Game Design Prompt:

Think about real-life situations youth encounter when they vote in elections. Make a game that demonstrates the importance of voting, proposes solutions to make the process more accessible, and encourages more young people to participate.