Campaign to Engage Young Voters in East San Jose

An East San Jose non-profit organization, Somos Mayfair, has initiated a campaign aimed at empowering young voters in underrepresented communities. The "No Decision About Us, Without Us" campaign was launched on Thursday, with coordinator Fabiola Rubero emphasizing the importance of giving youth a voice in the electoral process. Rubero noted that many young people feel unheard and stressed the significance of their participation in shaping the future through voting. The campaign comes in response to alarmingly low voter turnout among young people in the area, particularly in the 18-24 age group, which was less than 10 percent in the November 2022 elections. Rubero highlighted that many of these youths come from families with a history of non-participation in voting, leading to a lack of education on the subject. Her personal experiences, including family members who were unable to vote, have fueled her passion for encouraging young people to engage in the electoral process. Rubero aims to instill in young voters the understanding that their votes can impact not only their lives but also the lives of their families and communities. She celebrates the fact that many youth in the Somos Mayfair community will be the first in their families to vote. Additionally, Rubero engages younger children in the electoral process by encouraging them to pre-register and support candidates, fostering a culture of civic involvement. The campaign will leverage social media to encourage peer-to-peer outreach, motivating young people to advocate for voting within their age group and ensuring their voices are heard in future elections.