Ideas worth spreading

There's no such thing as not voting

1,059,159 views | Eric Liu • TEDNYC

Many people like to talk about how important voting is, how it's your civic duty and responsibility as an adult. Eric Liu agrees with all that, but he also thinks it's time to bring joy back to the ballot box. The former political speechwriter details how he and his team are fostering the culture around voting in the 2016 US presidential election -- and closes with a powerful analysis of why anyone eligible should show up on Election Day.

Many people like to talk about how important voting is, how it's your civic duty and responsibility as an adult. Eric Liu agrees with all that, but he also thinks it's time to bring joy back to the ballot box. The former political speechwriter details how he and his team are fostering the culture around voting in the 2016 US presidential election -- and closes with a powerful analysis of why anyone eligible should show up on Election Day.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Help build a stronger culture of citizenship with the Joy of Voting Project at Citizen University.

Register to vote!

About the speaker

Eric Liu

Civic evangelist, author

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As CEO of Citizen University, Eric Liu is working to spark a civic revival in the US and beyond.

Eric Liu | The Atlantic, 2015 | Article

"The Joy of Voting"

Imagine an electoral culture that's about being together, together. In person. In loud and passionate and even partisan ways. That means instead of 'eat your vegetables' or 'do your duty,' voting should feel more like 'join the club.' Or, better yet, join the fight.

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Citizen University: The Joy of Voting

With the support of the Knight Foundation, Citizen University is partnering with KMUW of Wichita, Engage Miami, The Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics at The University of Akron, and Committee of Seventy in Philadelphia to bring artists, activists, designers and citizens together to launch initiatives in these four cities to create creative, communal experiences and rituals around local voting.

Mark W. Brewin | Peter Lang Publishing Inc., 2008 | Book

Celebrating Democracy: The Mass-Mediated Ritual of Election Day

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Democracy Works, Turbovote

TurboVote is an application that makes voting easy. When you sign up, they keep track of your elections, local and national. And if you need to get registered, update your voter registration or request an absentee ballot, they'll get you all the forms and information you need, when you need them.

David Waldstreicher | The University of North Carolina Press, 1997 | Book

In the Midst of Perpetual Fetes: The Making of American Nationalism, 1776-1820

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Help build a stronger culture of citizenship with the Joy of Voting Project at Citizen University.

Register to vote!