18 in '08

18 in '08 began in 2007 as a documentary and civic-engagement project focused on the political participation of young Americans. It was co-founded by David D. Burstein and his parents. Burstein served as executive director and, according to the available reference material, became the first person under 21 to lead a national youth voter organization. The initiative concentrated on people between 18 and 24, an age group commonly entering the electorate for the first time. Its stated approach went beyond registration drives. The organization presented voting as part of a broader process that included learning about public issues, speaking with elected officials and candidates, joining political discussions, and taking an active role in civic life. Its peer-to-peer model was intended to make young people both the audience and the organizers of outreach. The documentary 18 in '08 was central to the group's early work. It included interviews or appearances involving a wide range of political figures and public personalities, among them Barbara Boxer, Sam Brownback, Jeb Bush, Robert Byrd, James Carville, Wesley Clark, Chris Dodd, Sam Donaldson, Richard Dreyfuss, David Gergen, Chuck Hagel, John Kerry, John Lewis, Joe Lieberman, Alexandra Pelosi, Samantha Power, Adam Putnam, Ted Sorensen, Gideon Yago, and Howard Zinn. Students from around the United States also participated. The film gave the organization a discussion platform that could be taken to campuses and community settings. By June 2007, 18 in '08 said that the documentary had been screened more than 400 times. These screenings functioned as educational and organizing events rather than as a conventional commercial film release. The group used them to encourage conversations about elections, public policy, and the role of young adults in the political process. Ahead of the 2008 presidential election, the organization planned an approximately 50-campus tour. It also planned political dialogues with candidates and elected officials at both state and federal levels, with the discussions intended to address issues of particular concern to young voters. The organization reported that its voter-registration work had reached more than 21,000 people by the period covered in the source material. Digital and celebrity communications formed another part of its strategy. On June 30, 2008, 18 in '08 announced a public-service-announcement series and released its first two pieces on MySpace, featuring Olivia Wilde and Peter Sarsgaard. The cast of the documentary American Teen was identified as possible participants in later PSAs. The campaign showed how the organization combined traditional civic education with online distribution and recognizable entertainment figures. 18 in '08 also listed relationships with the National Constitution Center, Mobilize.org, Declare Yourself, Why Tuesday?, Generation Engage, SAVE, and Project Vote Smart. Its activities and viewpoints received attention from ABC Evening News, C-SPAN, CNN, NPR, Fox News, The New York Times, The Boston Globe, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Village Voice, The Huffington Post, and Politico. The available material ends with the 2008 election-period activities. It does not provide reliable information about the organization's later programs, financial structure, headquarters, leadership after Burstein, or whether it remains active. Those aspects of its history are therefore unresolved.

• 2008

  Election-year college tour planned

  [1]18 in '08en.wikipedia.org

  18 in '08 planned a tour of approximately 50 colleges and political dialogues focused on youth issues.

• 2008

  Celebrity PSA series announced

  [1]18 in '08en.wikipedia.org

  The organization announced its celebrity PSA series on June 30, releasing initial videos featuring Olivia Wilde and Peter Sarsgaard through MySpace.

• 2007

  Organization founded

  [1]18 in '08en.wikipedia.org

  David D. Burstein and his parents co-founded 18 in '08 as a nonpartisan youth voter engagement organization.

• 2007

  Documentary screenings expand

  [1]18 in '08en.wikipedia.org

  The organization reported screening its documentary more than 400 times since June 2007.

A youth-led, peer-to-peer civic engagement initiative that combined voter registration, political education, documentary storytelling, campus events, and celebrity-supported digital media to encourage participation by 18- to 24-year-olds.

• Documentary film and civic education · 2007

  18 in '08 documentary

  The documentary that gave the organization its name featured political leaders, journalists, historians, entertainers, and students discussing youth participation and the political process. It was screened extensively as an educational and organizing tool, with the organization reporting more than 400 screenings by the period covered in its reference material.

• Civic engagement program · 2008

  College tour and political dialogues

  The planned 2008 election program included visits to approximately 50 colleges and discussions with candidates and elected officials at state and federal levels. The events were designed to connect young voters with political issues affecting their generation.

• Public-service media campaign · 2008

  Celebrity PSA series

  A digital public-service-announcement series intended to encourage youth civic participation. The first two announced videos featured Olivia Wilde and Peter Sarsgaard and were distributed through MySpace.

• 20082008 College Tour and Youth Political Dialogues

  United States

  18 in '08 planned a 50-college tour and political conversations with candidates and elected officials, concentrating on issues relevant to young people and encouraging participation beyond simple voter registration.

  Outcome. The reference material confirms the plan but does not document its full execution or final results.

  Source
• 2008Celebrity PSA Series

  United States

  The organization used celebrity participation and online video distribution to promote youth voter engagement. The initial releases featured Olivia Wilde and Peter Sarsgaard, with American Teen cast members considered for later PSAs.

  Outcome. The source confirms the initial release but does not provide audience metrics or the eventual scope of the series.

  Source

1. 118 in '08en.wikipedia.org