Honoring a Civil Rights Legacy by inviting the next generation into democracy
Democracy is not self-sustaining. It survives only when each generation is intentionally and equitably invited into civic life. That principle guided the march from Selma to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and it is the same principle behind the Jesse Jackson, Sr. Young Voter Empowerment Law, legislation I introduced HB 4339, to expand voter registration opportunities for high school students across Illinois.
Nearly sixty years ago, Americans witnessed peaceful demonstrators brutally attacked on the Edmund Pettus Bridge for demanding a basic right: access to the ballot. The Selma movement led directly to the Voting Rights Act, affirming a fundamental truth, that democracy must be accessible to all, not just those for whom participation is easiest.
Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr. was shaped by that movement and spent his life carrying its lessons forward. He understood that civil rights are not static; they must be protected, expanded, and passed on. Naming this legislation in his honor is not symbolic. It is a commitment to continue the unfinished work of Selma by removing barriers that still limit participation, especially for young people.
Today’s young people are deeply engaged on issues shaping our future, from racial justice and gun violence to climate change and economic opportunity, yet they remain the least likely age group to vote. This gap is often mischaracterized as apathy. In reality, it reflects barriers to access. Many students miss registration deadlines while balancing school, work, and family responsibilities, all while navigating a civic system that was never designed with them in mind. When access is delayed or complicated, participation declines and democracy becomes less representative.
The Jesse Jackson, Sr. Young Voter Empowerment Law addresses this inequity directly. It would require Illinois high schools to offer students the opportunity to register to vote in a nonpartisan, voluntary, and educational setting. The bill explicitly prohibits partisan activity in schools, ensuring voter registration remains neutral and focused on access and not ideology.
This is not about telling young people how to vote. It is about ensuring they are not excluded before they ever have the chance.
Civil rights progress has always depended on expanding access. Just as the Voting Rights Act dismantled literacy tests, poll taxes, and intimidation, this legislation meets young people where they are. Schools are where civic identity forms. Integrating voter registration into high schools normalizes participation and reinforces civic belonging.
At a time when voting rights protections have been weakened nationwide, expanding access to the ballot is not radical. It is responsible governance and faithful to the legacy of Selma and Rev. Jackson’s lifelong dedication to expanding voter rights.
Honoring that legacy means more than remembering history. It means acting on it. The Jesse Jackson, Sr. Young Voter Empowerment Law advances the civil rights tradition of inclusion and ensures the next generation has a real stake in our democracy.
Kimberly du Buclet is a Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives
from the 5th district. She formerly served on the board of commissioners for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD).
From Selma to our Schools
Honoring a Civil Rights Legacy by inviting the next generation into democracy
Democracy is not self-sustaining. It survives only when each generation is intentionally and equitably invited into civic life. That principle guided the march from Selma to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and it is the same principle behind the Jesse Jackson, Sr. Young Voter Empowerment Law, legislation I introduced HB 4339, to expand voter registration opportunities for high school students across Illinois.
Nearly sixty years ago, Americans witnessed peaceful demonstrators brutally attacked on the Edmund Pettus Bridge for demanding a basic right: access to the ballot. The Selma movement led directly to the Voting Rights Act, affirming a fundamental truth, that democracy must be accessible to all, not just those for whom participation is easiest.
Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr. was shaped by that movement and spent his life carrying its lessons forward. He understood that civil rights are not static; they must be protected, expanded, and passed on. Naming this legislation in his honor is not symbolic. It is a commitment to continue the unfinished work of Selma by removing barriers that still limit participation, especially for young people.
Today’s young people are deeply engaged on issues shaping our future, from racial justice and gun violence to climate change and economic opportunity, yet they remain the least likely age group to vote. This gap is often mischaracterized as apathy. In reality, it reflects barriers to access. Many students miss registration deadlines while balancing school, work, and family responsibilities, all while navigating a civic system that was never designed with them in mind. When access is delayed or complicated, participation declines and democracy becomes less representative.
The Jesse Jackson, Sr. Young Voter Empowerment Law addresses this inequity directly. It would require Illinois high schools to offer students the opportunity to register to vote in a nonpartisan, voluntary, and educational setting. The bill explicitly prohibits partisan activity in schools, ensuring voter registration remains neutral and focused on access and not ideology.
This is not about telling young people how to vote. It is about ensuring they are not excluded before they ever have the chance.
Civil rights progress has always depended on expanding access. Just as the Voting Rights Act dismantled literacy tests, poll taxes, and intimidation, this legislation meets young people where they are. Schools are where civic identity forms. Integrating voter registration into high schools normalizes participation and reinforces civic belonging.
At a time when voting rights protections have been weakened nationwide, expanding access to the ballot is not radical. It is responsible governance and faithful to the legacy of Selma and Rev. Jackson’s lifelong dedication to expanding voter rights.
Honoring that legacy means more than remembering history. It means acting on it. The Jesse Jackson, Sr. Young Voter Empowerment Law advances the civil rights tradition of inclusion and ensures the next generation has a real stake in our democracy.
Kimberly du Buclet is a Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives
from the 5th district. She formerly served on the board of commissioners for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD).