By Hannah Sutherby
At the North Carolina Youth and Government 2026 Welcome General Session on Friday night, Raleigh Mayor Pro Tem Stormie D. Forte, Youth Governor Josh Brown, and NC Governor Josh Stein kicked off the conference with engaging speeches. Among these speeches, one topic was repeatedly addressed: improving youth civic engagement.
The YMCA’s NC Youth and Government is already actively working towards this improvement. YAG promotes civic engagement among our generation by enabling teens to understand government structures, the democratic process, and the creation of public policy. YAG delegates Neal, Sullivan, & Nelson decided to make their mark by introducing a bill to improve voter education among youth.
Under their bill, “An Act to Require North Carolina High Schools to Provide a Voter Registration and Education Course for all Eligible Seniors and Juniors,” schools are required to hold a nonpartisan voter registration and education course on the third Tuesday of September. This bill was created after these delegates realized their own interest in government and politics, and a desire to have their voices heard, but were unsure of how to vote.
However, as a young person, having your voice heard in this world need not be limited to voting. NC Youth Governor Josh Brown believes that “youth advocacy means just getting out there.” He reminds us that even though voting is not in the cards for all young people, there are alternative opportunities, such as attending local council meetings. He encourages students who come to YAG to use the experiences they gain here, such as public speaking and researching, to find their voice in talking about politics and societal issues.
Josh Brown himself is not of voting age. Still, he has used his YAG experiences to speak before the General Assembly Committee for America 250 about what it means to youth to celebrate the United States’ 250th Anniversary. Our youth governor shows us that civic advocacy is not just about the ballot, but about youth supported by civic engagement programs and resources.
