Day 6

Vote

SPONSORED BY EQUATOR COFFEE

The Story of Stuff Project
Guayaki
EcoWatch

OVERVIEW

“Our lives begin to end the day that we become silent about things that matter.”
― Martin Luther King Jr.

We often fail to recognize our power as voters. There’s a popular myth that as an individual, your one voice, or vote, doesn’t count in the bigger picture. Yet, they’re numerous examples of candidates winning elections by less than one-half of a percentage point, clearly demonstrating that every single vote really DOES count. While unlimited campaign contributions do skew a perfect democracy, an equally challenging barrier to a just political system is the lack of engagement by citizens. The only thing politicians need more than money is votes! If every single person registered to vote and participated in every election, governments around the world would look very different than they do today.

Currently, there are 20 countries that deny citizens the right to vote, while many other nations have varying degrees of voting rights depending on age, gender, criminal record and election laws. For many, voting is still a relatively new right. In Switzerland, for example, women gained suffrage in 1971. In South Africa, you could be denied the right to vote based on your race until 1994. That’s why those who do have the right to vote have a moral obligation to do so.

In the 2016 U.S. presidential election, only 55% of voting age citizens actually cast a ballot for their future leader. According to Science News for Students, there are four big barriers to voting: 1), Inconvenience of registering. It takes time, knowledge of how and where to register, and the ability to provide the required ID and/or proof of citizenship to register. 2) Education. People without a college degree are less likely to be concerned with political decisions. 3) Limited choices. A limited number of candidates make voting unappealing to citizens who don’t resonate with existing parties. 4) Voter apathy. It’s when individuals or groups don’t think that voting will affect their lives or issues they care about.

As Rock the Vote says, “We have the power to decide the direction of our communities and our country. RTV is dedicated to building the political power of YOU, young people, to use your voice and campaign for issues that impact your generation!” Let’s CHANGE our path forward.

Register HERE and VOTE!

CHALLENGE

Green

20 POINTS

Think

US citizens between the ages of 18 and 30 comprise the lowest voting rate of the eligible voting population. In fact, only 49% of the 20.4 million college students voted in the last general election. Despite their low voting rates, the student vote matters enormously because young people (18-35) account for 31% of the voting population. Young people are the most affected by changes in economic and social policy, they represent the most diverse age group, and have the ability to swing election outcomes.

As you learned above, registration is one of the main barriers to voting in places where it is required. This challenge is meant to help you get over that hurdle, and one step closer to voting!

Challenge (US citizens)

(*If you are under 18, imagine you are 18 and go through the steps to register so you are ready when you are of age!)

  • Register to VOTE here (or sign up at your City Hall or Town Hall)
  • Learn about key issues here
  • Tell us if and why this election is important to you. (200 words or less)
  • Take a pledge to vote here
  • Challenge (Non US citizens)

  • Tell us about voting in your country. Who can vote? How do you vote? Are you able to vote? When is your next election? Why is voting important to you? (200 words or less)
  • Deliverables

    Upload a PDF Document with your responses. Include your name (or team name), username, email address, and school.

    Submission Guidelines

    • If you do not see an upload button, you need to log in
    • Please submit all entries as PDFs – no word or pages docs.
    • Please save filenames using the following format: firstname_lastname_challengeday_challengelevel_year.pdf
      (ex: kasie_shils_day1_green_2018.pdf)
    • Do not include # or spaces in filenames
    • Please be sure to include all content for your submission in one doc
    • Do not upload a file bigger than 5 MB
    • You will get a confirmation on screen that your submission uploaded correctly (green) or that it failed (red) and to try again.
    • If your total points do not change, your submission did not load correctly and you will have to try again. You can see your points total by logging out and back in again.
    • If you are having trouble uploading, try using a different browser
    • Send any questions you have to info@turninggreen.org
    • Don’t forget to post about the challenge and your learnings/doings on social media and tag us on Facebook @TurningGreen, on Twitter @TurningGreenOrg, and on Instagram @TurningGreenOrg and use #PGC2018.
    The deadline for entering this challenge has past.

    Greener

    40 POINTS

    Think

    As you learned above, one of the main reasons that people don’t get out and vote is because they don’t think that voting will impact their lives. This challenge is meant to help you become familiar with candidates who align with issues that you feel strongly about.

    Challenge (U.S. citizens)

    On Tuesday, November 6, the midterm elections will decide who gets to represent you on the national, state and local levels. All 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 (of the 100) seats in the Senate will be contested as well as countless local seats in each of your states.

    • Choose 2 candidates who are running for office that will be on your ballot and research the policy platforms they are running on.
      • What party do they represent and what office are they running for?
      • Research what they stand for. Share two policy platforms that you support or don’t support. Tell us where the candidate stands on each?
      • Share your position on each and tell us why these issues matter to you?

    Challenge (Global citizens)

    This is your chance to learn more about your current political leaders and any potential new leaders who are running for office.

    • Choose 2 current political leaders or future candidates, and do some research to answer these questions:
      • What party are they from and what office do they hold/are they running for?
      • What are two policy issues that they have worked on while in office or that they have talked about during their campaign? Where do they stand on these issues?
      • What is your position on each and why do these issues matter to you?

    Deliverables

    Upload a PDF Document with your responses. Include your name (or team name), username, email address, and school.

    Submission Guidelines

    • If you do not see an upload button, you need to log in
    • Please submit all entries as PDFs – no word or pages docs.
    • Please save filenames using the following format: firstname_lastname_challengeday_challengelevel_year.pdf
      (ex: kasie_shils_day1_greener_2018.pdf)
    • Do not include # or spaces in filenames
    • Please be sure to include all content for your submission in one doc
    • Do not upload a file bigger than 5 MB
    • You will get a confirmation on screen that your submission uploaded correctly (green) or that it failed (red) and to try again.
    • If your total points do not change, your submission did not load correctly and you will have to try again. You can see your points total by logging out and back in again.
    • If you are having trouble uploading, try using a different browser
    • Send any questions you have to info@turninggreen.org
    • Don’t forget to post about the challenge and your learnings/doings on social media and tag us on Facebook @TurningGreen, on Twitter @TurningGreenOrg, and on Instagram @TurningGreenOrg and use #PGC2018.
    The deadline for entering this challenge has past.

    Greenest

    60 POINTS

    Think

    Michelle Obama once said, “Elections aren’t just about who votes, but who doesn’t vote.” Today we want you to move more people to get the vote out so their voices can impact people, planet and all species.

    Challenge

    • If you knew the power of your generation could change the future of our planet, by getting out the vote what would you do to help mobilize? Think really BIG.
    • First, watch today’s video here to inspire your powerful message.
    • Create a powerful, mobilizing video, infographic, art piece, etc. to encourage your peers and fellow students to use their voices for change by casting a vote!
    • Share your message far and wide! Upload your work to a social media platform of your choice and tag @TurningGreenOrg, @RockTheVote #PGC2018. Don’t forget to include a link for how to register to vote along with your message! We will also post the most impactful pieces and share with all of our partners!

    Deliverables

    Upload a PDF Document with your responses and creative work. Include a screenshot of your social media post. Please include your name (or team name), username, email address and school.

    Submission Guidelines

    • If you do not see an upload button, you need to log in
    • Please submit all entries as PDFs – no word or pages docs.
    • Please save filenames using the following format: firstname_lastname_challengeday_challengelevel_year.pdf
      (ex: kasie_shils_day1_greenest_2018.pdf)
    • Do not include # or spaces in filenames
    • Please be sure to include all content for your submission in one doc
    • Do not upload a file bigger than 5 MB
    • You will get a confirmation on screen that your submission uploaded correctly (green) or that it failed (red) and to try again.
    • If your total points do not change, your submission did not load correctly and you will have to try again. You can see your points total by logging out and back in again.
    • If you are having trouble uploading, try using a different browser
    • Send any questions you have to info@turninggreen.org
    • Don’t forget to post about the challenge and your learnings/doings on social media and tag us on Facebook @TurningGreen, on Twitter @TurningGreenOrg, and on Instagram @TurningGreenOrg and use #PGC2018.
    The deadline for entering this challenge has past.

    TODAY’S PRIZES

    up to 10 winners from the greener challenge will receive:

    Equator Coffee Organic Turning Green Blend
    Equator Coffee Organic Cotton T-Shirt
    Acure Coconut and Marula Shampoo
    Acure Coconut and Marula Conditioner
    Dr. Bronner’s Heal Earth Castile Soap
    Natracare Organic Cotton Tampons

    Everyone 3-in-1 Lotion
    Guayaki Yerba Mate Energy Shots (2)
    Annie’s Organic Mac & Cheese
    Clif Bar Organic Luna Rica Bars
    Michael Roger Decomposition Notebook

    up to 10 winners from the greenest challenge will receive:

    Equator Coffee Organic Turning Green Blend
    Equator Coffee Mug
    Navitas Organics Superfood Bars
    Guayaki Yerba Mate Enlightenmint
    Klean Kanteen Stainless Steel Straw

    Numi Organic Tea Fields of Gold
    Livity Hemp Messenger Bag
    Hempsters DVD
    Drawdown Book