Young people, particularly women, between the ages of 18 and 29 are voting at the lowest rates in history. In fact, 62 percent of women between the ages of 18 and 25 did not vote in the last presidential election, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
The Santa Monica Commission on the Status of Women in partnership with the League of Women Voters, the YWCA Santa Monica/Westside, and the Santa Monica College Associated Students are hoping to change that by holding a “get out the vote” event, targeting young women and first-time voters who are under 30 years old.
The “Show Your Power and Raise Your Voice” forum will feature a voter registration drive and a special screening of “Iron Jawed Angels,” the HBO original movie starring Hilary Swank about the suffragists who fought for and helped American women win the right to vote. Former presidential campaign manager and USC law professor Susan Estrich, and long-time political activist and former presidential advisor Midge Costanza will be the keynote speaker and will talk about the power of voting.
The event will take place on Sunday, Sept. 26 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Santa Monica College Concert Hall. Remarks by the keynote speakers, and questions and answers with the audience will take place from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., followed by the screening of “Iron Jawed Angels.” Admission is free and open to everyone, especially young women.
“We want to educate and encourage young women that they have the power to transform American politics,” said Tia Skulski, chair of the Commission on the Status of Women. “In the 2000 presidential election, 15 million eligible young women did not vote. If they had, it might have changed the course of history.”
Historically, younger women of all races and classes have been less likely to vote than older women, but have always voted in higher rates than younger men. Then a study funded in 2002 by the Pew Charitable Trust for People and Press showed that only 22 percent of 20-to 25-year-old women vote regularly, versus 28 percent of men in that age group.
The Commission on the Status of Women, established in 1981, is charged with enhancing the status of women in the community. The Commission will promote those goals through investigation of, advocacy for, and policy development regarding issues relevant to women and girls, and by creating leadership and career advancement opportunities for women and girls in our community.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 24, 2004. Read the original PDF.