My Registration Story

Maybe you are living away from home for the first time, in a new state, college, or super busy, but if you are 18, or will be by November 2024, and you’re a U.S. citizen, you can vote.

But first, you have to register to vote.

Each state has different deadlines. Depending on where you live, you can register online at vote.gov or by mail, at your local election office, or the department of motor vehicles. You can also download the National Mail Voter Registration Form and fill it out onscreen or by hand.

Registering to vote is also a good story. In fact, the PBS News Student Reporting Labs program wants to hear your registration story.

In this challenge you’ll record a short video for social media documenting your registration story. It is up to you to be as creative as you want with the video. You may choose to go the traditional route of filming with your phone and edit in the social media app or use a DSLR to edit in post production.

• TikTok Example: Hannah’s First Time Voting Story

Here are some suggestions, but take the ideas and make them your own!

1. Hook the audience - What’s the hardest or most ridiculous part of registering to vote?
2. Look up your state’s rules while talking to the camera Narrate your search—what are you learning?
3. Film the registration form and the questions you have to answer (do not include any personal information such as your address, phone, etc)
4. If you have to go somewhere, use your phone and film the journey. In the car, walking to the entrance, maybe talking to the person who registers you and asking questions about their job.
5. Once you have some video of the registration:

• Describe how it feels to register to vote.
• What was the hardest part of registering?
• Identify your hopes for the 2024 election
• Beyond the national election, what are your hopes for local elections in your state and city, for mayor, etc.
• Tell us, what issues matter to you and why?
• Do you know anyone who is 18, but not registered to vote? Talk to them about why they haven’t registered.

Pro Tips:

Video: How to Record a Video Diary

Video: How to Record B-roll on Your Phone

PDF: Video Diary

Google Doc: My Registration Story

Once you have all your video clips, edit a 30-90 second “My Registration Story” and upload it to TikTok, Twitter, or Instagram and tag us:

TikTok @reportinglabs

Twitter @reportinglabs

Instagram @studentreportinglabs

Note: if your account is private, DM us your video.

FILL OUT THE SUBMISSION FORM HERE

You must also complete this release form to confirm your participation in Student Reporting Labs (SRL). NOTE: The SRL team evaluates pieces based on these criteria. Please be sure your story incorporates these requirements.

IMPORTANT: If you submit Google Drive links, ​you must change the share settings from "restricted" to "allow general access: anyone with a link can edit."

NOTE: students are encouraged to publish their stories on their school/club/program website or through video/social platforms such as YouTube, Instagram or Twitter and tag Student Reporting Labs. Check with your teacher to find out instructions for class submissions.

FACEBOOK: /STUDENTREPORTINGLABS

TWITTER: @REPORTINGLABS

INSTAGRAM: @STUDENTREPORTINGLABS

TIKTOK: @REPORTINGLABS