Nonprofit Vote.org told Reuters it has targeted more than 1 million voters ages 18 to 24 this election cycle by targeting underrepresented groups and first-time voters in voter campaigns and other outreach to students on HBCU campuses and in areas with large numbers of black voters. He said he recorded it.

Vote.org CEO Andrea Hailey cited “unprecedented” youth participation this election cycle; Voters under 35 accounted for nearly 80 percent of all new registrations on the establishment’s platform during the 2024 cycle, up from 64 percent in 2020.

NC A&T freshman Justice Montgomery registered to vote during band camp in July. The drummer plans to cast his ballot on campus with other members of the group called the Blue & Gold Marching Machine.

“Initially, I couldn’t even imagine myself going to vote,” the Georgia native said. After performing at N.C. A&T’s graduation ceremony to cheers that also greeted the dance teams, Montgomery said, “we took a break from the music to just dive deeper” into some voting issues; the campus king, queen, and other members of the “royal court”; and a banner of blue balloons that read “Kamala.”

BlackPAC CEO Adrianne Shropshire said graduation events give candidates the opportunity to make a final push and “have in-depth conversations with people who are still undecided.”

BlackPAC, a left-leaning political action committee, collaborated with Howard University students to engage with their peers as it celebrated its centennial.

Howard student Chloé Enoch, 21, said this year’s election and Harris’ race are already inspiring younger generations.

Harris, the HBCU’s most famous graduate, has appeared on apparel, pins and other merchandise. The Howard alum waved fans with paper signs showing his face on the front and early voting and election dates on the back.