The youth team is part of the ACLU of Arizona’s Democracy Defenders program, which is the volunteer arm of the organization’s statewide election safeguarding efforts during the 2026 midterm election. The youth volunteers focus on promoting voting rights, encouraging civic engagement, and inspiring other young people to get more involved in their communities.
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Aryhannah Meza, ACLU of Arizona’s democracy defense community organizer, said the volunteers participate in campus outreach, listening sessions, and other events to connect with their peers throughout the county.
They listen and learn about issues affecting students’ schools and communities. Through these conversations, the volunteers gain perspective on what other young people are concerned about and how to best reach them.
Meza said that youth volunteers are able to connect with other young people in ways that adults or staff members cannot.
“I think they have the trust of their communities, and they have this credibility to them,” Meza said.
Meza said she noticed that volunteers have grown in their understanding of how politics affects their lives. They have begun to recognize how government decisions and policies relate to the challenges they experience day-to-day, such as accessing education and making ends meet.
During individual conversations with volunteers, Meza hears a common desire for change. Recalling what they have shared with her, she paraphrased, “I just don’t want the world that I’m living in to look like this anymore. I want something more.”
Learning to lead
Another important part of the youth team is helping volunteers develop leadership skills. The ACLU of Arizona has a volunteer leadership structure where people start as advocates and eventually begin taking on more responsibilities.
As advocates, volunteers attend events and participate in different activities. As they become more involved, they can play a bigger role in planning events, creating agendas, and recruiting other volunteers.
Meza says it’s rewarding to watch volunteers go from attending events to later planning and leading them.
“They’re the ones who are creating the agenda,” Meza said. “They’re talking strategy with me!”
The team usually meets once a week to discuss past events, participate in training, and plan upcoming activities. Some volunteers also meet separately to discuss goals and strategies for the team.
With the November election approaching, the youth team is preparing for voter outreach and Election Day poll monitoring. The volunteers are also helping to organize events that encourage people to vote and become more involved in the election process.
Meza believes that young people have an important role in politics because they bring different perspectives and experiences to the conversation.
“They’re advocating for much more than them. They’re creating systems that really benefit a larger group, and their communities,” Meza said.
Meza doesn’t necessarily think this generation is more involved than previous generations. Instead, she believes that young people have always wanted to be involved, but they need opportunities and support to do so.
She said that many young people have school, work, and financial responsibilities, which can make volunteering difficult. However, she still sees a lot of dedication from the youth volunteers.
With the November election approaching, the youth team is preparing for voter outreach and Election Day poll monitoring. The volunteers are also helping to organize events that encourage people to vote and become more involved in the election process.
Meza believes that young people have an important role in politics because they bring different perspectives and experiences to the conversation.
“They’re advocating for much more than them. They’re creating systems that really benefit a larger group, and their communities,” Meza said.
Meza doesn’t necessarily think this generation is more involved than previous generations. Instead, she believes that young people have always wanted to be involved, but they need opportunities and support to do so.
She said that many young people have school, work, and financial responsibilities, which can make volunteering difficult. However, she still sees a lot of dedication from the youth volunteers.
What WE can learn from youth volunteers
“I think a lot of them come into the organization wanting more out of what we’re living right now,” Meza said.
One of the most rewarding parts of Meza’s work has been learning from the volunteers themselves.
“When I’m learning about their experiences and why things matter to them, I feel like they’re really teaching me a lot more than I am teaching them,” Meza said.
Each volunteer has their own experiences and reasons for becoming involved with the ACLU of Arizona. Some have dealt with challenges in their communities, while others want to learn more about civic engagement and how they can make a difference.
Although they all have different backgrounds, the volunteers share a similar goal of improving their communities and helping to create change.
For Meza, the youth team is an example of what young people can accomplish when they are given the opportunity to participate and become leaders.
“There’s always a way for somebody to fit, or to tailor somebody’s interests and strengths to the team,” Meza said.
