webinar

Youth Vote 2026- What Do We Know?

Understanding Gen Z’s Intentions, Priorities and Attitudes Toward Civic Engagement

Nearly 50 million young people (ages 18-29) are eligible to vote in the 2026 midterms—a major potential force in shaping electoral outcomes and the future of our democracy. Curious about what young people say is important to them as we near the midterms?

Past Event

DATE

October 5, 2026

TIME

12-1pm ET / 9-10am PT

LOCATION

Virtual

Join GTY, CIRCLE, and young people from the Alliance for Youth Action to discuss findings from recent poll by CIRCLE and When We All Vote on young people’s likelihood to vote, their changing political views, and the impact of economic hardship on civic engagement.  This webinar is free and open to all.

Speakers

Faisal Gaitan

Campus Coordinator, Engage Miami

I am a civic engagement organizer passionate about youth empowerment, community mobilization, and expanding access to the democratic process. Since beginning my canvassing work in 2020, I have developed a strong understanding of how to connect with communities, mobilize individuals, and encourage civic participation. Driven by a commitment to ensuring young people have the knowledge and resources to make their voices heard, I strive to make civic engagement more accessible, inclusive, and meaningful for students.

As Campus Coordinator at Engage Miami, I work to empower students to become active participants in their democracy. Since stepping into a coordinator role in 2024, I have helped register students to vote, broken down complex ballot measures into accessible information, and participated in campus events to provide students with voter resources and education. Through my work, I strive to bridge the gap between young people and the political process, equipping students with the information and confidence they need to make informed decisions and recognize the power of their voices

Charine Lomibao

Program Coordinator, Battle Born Futures

Charine Lomibao is a Program Coordinator with Battle Born Futures, where she supports youth organizing, civic engagement, and leadership development across Southern Nevada. She began her organizing journey in high school, where she first became involved in community advocacy and youth engagement. She later continued organizing with One APIA Nevada, working closely with the Filipino and AANHPI community, before joining Battle Born Futures.

Today, she works with college students and young organizers across Nevada to build campus programs, organize community events, and develop the next generation of youth leaders. Charine is also pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing at Nevada State University.

Alberto Medina

Communications Manager, CIRCLE

Alberto Medina leads CIRCLE’s communications and serves as lead author on CIRCLE’s analyses on young voters. Alberto began working with CIRCLE as Communications Specialist at the Tisch College of Civic Life—CIRCLE’s institutional home—where he led a variety of communications efforts and initiatives.

A graduate of Yale University, Alberto previously worked as a freelance writer and editor and at national newspapers in his native Puerto Rico. He is a commentator and advocate on Puerto Rico’s political status and a member of the boards of directors of Boricuas Unidos en la Diáspora and the Denver Urban Debate League.

Leela Strong

Newhouse Director, CIRCLE

Leela Strong is the Newhouse Director of the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) at Tufts University’s Tisch College of Civic Life, overseeing research on youth civic participation. At CIRCLE, she directs research on voting trends, civic education, and policies affecting young Americans, informing advocates, educators, and policymakers.

Previously, as Global Director of Nike’s Made to Play Initiative, she managed Nike’s philanthropic strategy that reached 1.3 million children in 40+ countries. She led impact evaluation and advocacy efforts to increase equity in youth sports access. Earlier in her career, she held leadership roles in public health and humanitarian organizations, focusing on infectious disease prevention and community development. Strong holds a BA from Lafayette College, an MPH from Boston University, and executive certificates from Oxford’s Saïd Business School and Harvard Chan School of Public Health.

Selasi Tagbor Morales

Communications Manager, Alliance for Youth Action

Selasi Tagbor Morales is a communications strategist working at the intersection of youth organizing and narrative storytelling. Driven by a passion for lifting authentic narratives about marginalized communities and translating them across audiences for greater impact, she has made it her mission to ensure those stories are told and heard.

As Communications Manager at the Alliance for Youth Action, Selasi shapes the organization’s communications strategy and public voice, ensuring its storytelling reflects the power of the Network. Prior to the Alliance, she served as Communications Manager at Youth Rise Texas, where she led digital organizing and political education programs for Austin youth impacted by parental removal—deepening her expertise in engaging young people who don’t yet see themselves in the movement.

Presented by

Grantmakers for Thriving Youth

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