WHO WE ARE
Get out the Student Vote (GOSV) is an independent, nonparitsan group helping students, parents, teachers and other community based groups organize and develop voter education and participation programs at academic instiutions throughout California.

OUR MISSION
Our mission is to encourage the development of active and robust voter education and participation programs at high schools, community colleges and other academic institutions throughout California. We will accomplish this by helping local resource teams organize and develop programs based on local needs and interests. One way we will do this is by developing an informal network to share best practices and resources among local resource teams.

THE NEED
As the 2000 Presidential Election demonstrated, every vote does count - not only in short-term practical terms but also symbolically: vibrant democracy depends on an informed and engaged electorate. Yet one group of the important eligible voters - youth - have especially low and falling voting rates. Nationally, only 1 in 3 eligible youth voters voted in the 2000 Presidential Election. In California, only 1 in 5 18-24 year olds voted in the 2002 elections only.

THE OPPORTUNITY
Yet there is hope: one national study indicated that voting rates increased from around 35% to nearly 70% (footnote) once young voters were exposed to basic voter education programs that addressed the basic "What, How and Why" of voting. It is our belief that local resource teams comprised of interested students, parents, teachers and other community groups are best positioned to marshal the most appropriate voter education resources for each community.

(footnote)The study cited, Fall 1996 Election Study: A study on the barriers to civic participation and motivators to involvement that address these barriers, was sponsored by the  Kettering Foundation and was prepared by: Susan S. Clark, Center for Civic Literacy, San Rafael, California among others and can be found at literacynet.org

Academic institutions represent a viable platform to reach many of the 6.5 million California youth between 18-24. Many of the 104 community colleges and nearly 2,000 high schools in California offer civics classes, community service and poll worker programs, mock elections and registration and graduations events through which voter education messages and opportunities can be delivered. In addition, in accordance with the California Student Voter Registration Act of 2003 voter registration forms have been sent to many schools to be included with orientation and graduation materials.

 The GOSV Program
As stated above, our primary function is to help local resource teams organize and develop programs based on local needs and interests. One way we will do this is by developing an informal network to share best practices and resources among local resource teams. This Fall weÕre starting off with a statewide campaign to mobilize volunteers around helping to implement the Student Voter Registration Act of 2003. Once a network of volunteers has been established, weÕll be building upon it to identify additional opportunities to encourage greater civic engagement.