Young people feel more empowered than ever to speak out and create true change in the world. The youth have taken a stand against injustices they have faced in their communities, and forged a way to facilitate debate on those same issues on a national scale. 

And yet, the voice of the youth is too-often ignored. Although young people all over the nation have already begun to speak from an educated, well-versed standpoint, our cries fall on deaf ears.

We want to change that.

Young people are tired of politicians pushing them to the side. In recent years, youth voter turnout has been surging, and it's time for political campaigns to reflect that. We need to see concerted efforts to include different perspectives in every step of their trip to the White House. There must be a nationally televised youth town hall where the concerns of the youth are placed front and center.

Students for Increased Voter Participation (S4IVP), Mari Copeny (@LittleMissFlint), and other young activists and organizations have all come together to initiate a call for a nationally-televised Youth Town Hall. We already have the support of numerous presidential candidates who are on board to make this happen. 

Young people need to see candidates talking about issues that affect them. Young people, especially LGBTQ+ youth and people of color, need to see candidates answering questions from people like them. We deserve the ability to ask questions directly to the candidates, because we will play a huge role in electing them.