How do we vote without voting?

Do these sentences resonate? 👇

"I want to make a difference, but I don't know where to start."
"Politics seems so complicated – I don't even know how a bill becomes a law."
"Voting feels like it's not enough – is there anything else I can do to create change?"

Ever felt lost in the world of bills, laws, and the legislative process? Maybe you want to be more civically engaged, but you're not sure how to do that outside of election season. Many young people find this whole system confusing and intimidating. But the truth is, you have a voice, and it matters!

I recently had a fantastic conversation with Kenia Soriano Hernandez (she/her), Programs Coordinator at the Washington Youth Alliance (WYA). WYA is an incredible organization dedicated to empowering young people across Washington State to understand and engage with state legislation. Even when it's not a major election year, there are still ways to make your voice heard and influence the decisions that affect you and your community.

Think of WYA as our guide to navigating the sometimes complex world of politics. They provide the knowledge, resources, and support we need to make a real difference.

And if you are a non-Washingtonian reading this, they share helpful information that helps us be civically engaged no matter the state. Let’s dive in!

"...youth are listening and youth know what is going on."

What are bills, and how do they become laws?

Kenia explains it simply: "Bills are basically ideas for addressing issues or funding needs in our communities." They can be introduced by organizations, state senators, or representatives. These bills are then discussed and debated during the legislative session. As Kenia puts it, "It's about 20 people getting together representing different parts of our state and kind of interpreting, 'Hey, is this bill actually helpful?' or 'How does this specific part of the bill play out?'" Once a bill becomes law, it has a real impact on our daily lives – from how schools are funded to the rules around gun safety.

Bills We Should Know About

WYA focuses on bills related to gun violence prevention, mental health, and other issues that directly impact young people. Kenia highlighted a few key bills that are currently being considered in Washington State:

SB 5126: "It's working on creating a statewide mental and behavioral health network for students," says Kenia. This bill aims to address the gap in mental health resources between urban and rural areas.
HB 1163 / SB 5140: This bill would require permits for gun purchases, adding an extra layer of safety and responsibility to gun ownership. Kenia explains that it "kind of puts responsibility... [and] makes it a system so that we're flagging a little bit beforehand" potential issues.
SB 5098: This bill would restrict weapons in places where children are likely to be present, such as county fairs, parks, and sports fields.

Bills Can Be Confusing! How Can We Understand Them?

Kenia acknowledges that bills can be tough to decipher: "Sometimes [bills] have 30 pages and some of it is kind of hard to interpret." But she assures us there are resources available to help! She recommends checking out the Washington State Legislature website, which offers bill summaries in more user-friendly language. WYA also provides concise one-page summaries of key bills on their website. And don't forget about social media! Many organizations and individuals share informative content about bills and the legislative process on platforms like Instagram.

What Exactly is WYA, and How Can It Help Us?

WYA goes above and beyond just providing information. They actively support young people in becoming active participants in their communities. "We are based on kind of the work and model of the Seattle Student Union," Kenia explains. Their Chapters Program helps young people create teams, organize campaigns, and connect with resources to tackle issues they're passionate about.

And then there's Lobby Day – an exciting opportunity for young people to meet face-to-face with legislators and share their personal stories. Kenia emphasizes the power of personal experiences in shaping legislation: "Your stories are very valuable because they're not the reason, but you are the person experiencing all the issues that we're seeing." Lobby Day provides a platform for young people to connect with lawmakers and demonstrate why these bills truly matter.

What Other Resources Does WYA Offer?

WYA offers a variety of resources, including:

One-page bill summaries: Concise explanations of key bills in plain language.
Chapters Program: Support for young people to create teams, organize campaigns, and access resources.
Lobby Day: A chance to meet with legislators and share your stories.
Social media: Updates and information on current legislative issues.

"We want to make sure that there's no gun use around the area just in terms of keeping safe spaces safe because we know that gun violence is the number one reason for death for children and youth in the US."

As reported by CNN in 2023, guns are the leading cause of death for US children and teens, since surpassing car accidents in 2020.

Explore how you can use your voice to engage.

What issues in your community make you feel like you need to speak up?
How do these bills connect with your own experiences and the changes you want to see?
How can you share your story with decision-makers?
Beyond voting, how else can you use your voice to influence change?
What's one small action you can take today to make your voice heard?

"Realize that your stories hold a lot of power and that you can use those stories to have an impact in terms of bills and legislation."

Click on the dropdowns below to see the easy action items:

Do one of these things TODAY (helpful links, too!) 👇

RSVP for Lobby Day: Sign up here before March 1.
Access bill trackers and one-pagers: Check out the legislative hub here.
Interested in starting a WYA Chapter? Fill out the interest form here.

Lobby Day: Sign up now! 👇

This year's Lobby Day is happening on March 5th. WYA is committed to making participation accessible by providing transportation, food, and even training on how to effectively communicate with legislators. Kenia describes Lobby Day as "kind of the opportunity for you to say, 'Hey, I actually want to feel like I have an impact... because it is going to eventually come and affect my community.'"

Channel that feeling - Stay connected! 👇

The best way to stay in the loop is to follow WYA on Instagram (@wayouthalliance) and check out their website. They regularly post updates on their work, upcoming events, and ways to get involved.

Whether you participate in Lobby Day, join a WYA chapter, or simply stay informed about the bills that affect you, there are countless ways for young people to get involved in shaping the future of our city, state, and country. Don't underestimate your power to make a difference!