In 2020, a record number of youth voters hit the polls. According to Tufts University, 50% of people aged 18-29 cast their ballots, cementing last year as “likely one of the highest rates of youth electoral participation since the voting age was lowered to 18.” The political power of young voters is growing, and many teenagers are looking for a place to start. They want direction, organization, and a platform to make their voices heard. Two growing student-led groups in Carteret County are rising to meet their demands.
During this tumultuous election year, Croatan students Tindra Tramontano and Kelsey McCormick created separate political activism groups, respectively named Carteret County Young Democrats (CCYD) and Turning Point USA Carteret County Activism Hub (TPUSA).
CCYD welcomes all teenagers with left-leaning or liberal views. Tindra said she founded the club to create a safe space for liberal students. “I felt that there were a lot of people who would express their beliefs openly, but then wouldn’t be tolerant of my ideas,” she said. “[CCYD] encourages students to speak out without fear or being criticized, which also promotes our members to be more politically active.” Political activism within CCYD includes volunteer events with local organizations, such as the Sierra Club, LGBTQ+ Community Centers, and the Carteret County Democrats. Their causes vary from “protecting our coast and fighting for racial justice” to “protesting for increased LGBTQ+ and women’s rights.”
Kelsey’s TPUSA chapter stands apart from CCYD because it lacks affiliation with any political party. Kelsey created and founded her group through the wide-reaching grassroots conservative organization TPUSA. Through this connection, Carteret County students can attend TPUSA conferences, where they listen to Christian speakers and country music artists. According to Kelsey, this leads to a connection “with dozens of organizations that share your values.” The group aims to empower students to stand up and support the principles of freedom, free markets, and limited government. Locally, TPUSA’s CC Activism Hub organizes “activism events like going to a shooting range to exercise our 2nd amendment rights, community service hours, [and] hosting top speakers in the conservative movement.”
For students interested in activism and looking for a place to start, both Tindra and Kelsey recommend staying neutral and consulting multiple, non-biased sources. “Be sure you dig deep into the subject you wish to know more about,” emphasized Kelsey. Tindra’s comments compliment this, saying “ it's important to have a good understanding of issues and how we feel about them before becoming involved.” She also mentioned consulting All Sides Now, which creates compilations of major news coverage from both right-leaning and left-leaning sources. Political awareness is powerful, and both Tindra and Kelsey have provided great starting points for budding youth activists.
CCYD General Info
Socials: Instagram, @carteretcountyyoungdemocrats
President: Tindra Tramontano
WCHS Representatives: Izabella Counts and Allegra Banks
Meetings: Bi-weekly zoom calls on Wednesday's at 7 pm
TPUSA General Info
Socials: Instagram, @tpusa.carteretcounty
Lead Representative: Kelsey McCormick
Meetings: Bi-monthly and in person, usually on Friday nights
