Helena Youth Against Gun Violence (HYAGV) partnered with MTV to hold a #VoteTogether Celebration on Monday at HUB Coffee.
MTV provided the group a $1,000 grant to hold the event and those who attended had a chance to enter a raffle and win prizes by answering basic voter trivia.
The teens also helped answer questions about absentee and early voting.
Capital High School senior and HYAGV founder Mariah Thomas said this will be the first election she’ll have the chance to vote in and encourages everyone to let their voice be heard on Election Day.
“Getting your voice out there is one of the most important parts of democracy,” said Thomas, “And if we want our democracy to be alive and well then all of us have to make sure we’re doing that.”
#VoteTogether is a national campaign that hopes to increase voter participation by making voting fun and celebratory.
The initiative was created by Civic Nation is a 501(c)(3) that uses organizing and engagement to raise public awareness.
People can check their current voter registration status and find their polling place by visiting the Montana Secretary of State’s My Voter page.
Helena Youth Against Gun Violence was created in February of 2018 following the mass shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. The nonpartisan, student-led group wants to prevent gun violence in Montana schools and communities.
For more about HYAGV, you can visit their webpage here.
–John Riley/MTN News
