At 11 and 12, these Alabama kids are getting nonvoters to the polls
They may not be old enough to vote, but their future is on the ballot. So a group of Alabama kids started an organization to activate the nonvoters in their families.
Mason Reed 
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While most of their peers are soaking up the summer sun, 11-year-old Major Harris is busy organizing a boycott—not of a business, but of nonvoters. Harris is one of the driving forces behind Operation Forward, a Birmingham-area youth group dedicated to boosting voter turnout for the upcoming midterm elections.
Taking Action for the Future
Harris and his 12-year-old cousin, Sydney Marable, launched Operation Forward in response to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that allowed Alabama to move forward with a congressional map containing only one predominantly-Black district. Driven by the mission to protect their future, the duo has organized rallies, launched a phone-banking effort, and recruited neighborhood youth to help the cause.
Their momentum is building quickly. With support from local middle school principals, the group is planning a massive "CALLoween" initiative. Their target: 100 students making 1,000 calls to nonvoters on the Saturday before the Nov. 3 general election.
A Call to Protect Rights
The inspiration for the group traces back to the home of their grandmother, Sharon McClure, founder of the voter education organization Democracy Trailblazers. After watching news coverage of a National Day of Action in Selma and Montgomery, the children began to learn about the complexities of Alabama’s redistricting and its impact on the 2nd Congressional District, represented by U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures.
For Harris, the political reality sparked a fire. "I was enraged because we as African Americans should have the freedom to vote for people who look like us," Harris said. "But Republicans are trying to erase that freedom, and we don’t like that."
The Power of Youth Advocacy
The organization’s name and logo—a Black fist framed by yellow flames—were designed to represent progress and determination. While members of this Gen Alpha group are too young to step into a voting booth themselves, they are proving that age is no barrier to impact. As youth leaders across Alabama continue to fight for voting equality, Harris and his team are using Operation Forward’s Facebook page to push a clear message: vote on our behalf.
During a recent rally at Irondale’s Beacon Park, Harris’ sister, Laila, challenged the crowd to take their civic duty seriously. "You can’t sit there on your phone saying, 'Oh, I’m so tired of living through historical events.' You’re not contributing to historical events," she said. "Please, go vote on our behalf so that you can contribute to historical events."
Results-Oriented Organizing
The group’s phone banking approach is deeply personal. By calling friends and family, the kids have seen real results. Following their primary election outreach, about 30 adults shared photos of their "I voted" stickers with the group. Harris has even higher ambitions, hoping to push for 10,000 calls in October.
For those interested in joining the movement, you can reach out to the organization through their Facebook page or contact McClure at democracytrailblazers@gmail.com.
