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Girl Scouts River Valleys Launches New Early Voter Education Patch in Partnership with Sec. Of State
October 18, 2023
MEDIA CONTACT:
Alora Jones, Public Relations Manager
Girl Scouts River Valleys
alora.jones@girlscoutsrv.org
800-845-0787
The Ready Set Vote! Patch Program Prepares Girl Scouts to Pre-Register as Minnesota Voters So They’re Ready to Vote Once They Turn 18
ST. PAUL, MN – Local Girl Scouts were honored on Tuesday, October 17 by Secretary of State Steve Simon for earning the newly introduced Ready, Set, Vote! patch.
The Ready, Set, Vote! patch program is the first of its kind in Girl Scouting and was born out of a partnership between Girl Scouts River Valleys and the Office of the Secretary of State following the recent passage of the Democracy for the People Act, which includes a provision allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to pre-register to vote.
“We know that when people are engaged in democracy at a young age, they are more likely to remain engaged throughout their lives,” said Secretary Simon. “Each Girl Scout who earns this new patch is not only becoming more involved in their government themselves, but they are also learning about the value of bringing their community along with them.”
Girl Scouts earned their patches by reading a letter from the Secretary of State’s office, completing a practice voter registration form, researching who represents them at different levels of government, and sharing what they learned with three friends to encourage civic engagement by young people.
“The world changes for the better when young people find their voices and learn how to use them,” says Girl Scouts River Valleys CEO, Marisa C. Williams. “Our Girl Scouts are doing just that by enthusiastically kicking off their voting journeys, becoming more informed and engaged constituents, and calling upon their peers to do the same. These seemingly small actions make a profound difference at an important time for our democracy.”
As many as 800 local Girl Scouts will be eligible to earn the patch this year, which will prepare them to pre-register as voters, so they’re fully prepared to vote in their first election.
About Girl Scouts River Valleys
Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys’ work is supported by 6,300 volunteers who deliver the Girl Scout Leadership Experience to nearly 17,200 girls in southern Minnesota, western Wisconsin, and one county in Iowa. Girl Scouts River Valleys is one of 111 Girl Scout councils that make up the national Girl Scout Movement, sharing the mission to build girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.
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