At 11 and 12, these Alabama kids are getting nonvoters to the polls

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While most middle schoolers spend their summer break relaxing, 11-year-old Major Harris is busy organizing a movement. He is currently spearheading a campaign to boycott nonvoters ahead of this year's midterm elections, holding friends and family accountable to the future he will one day inherit.

Harris is a core member of Operation Forward, a Birmingham-area organization launched by young activists who are leveraging social media and direct engagement to boost voter participation. Alongside his 12-year-old cousin, Sydney Marable, Harris started the group following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to allow Alabama's congressional map, which features only one predominantly-Black district.

Taking Action for the Future

The mission has already grown from neighborhood outreach to a major initiative: a planned “CALLoween” phone-banking event. With support from their school principals, the team aims to mobilize 100 students to contact 1,000 nonvoters on the Saturday before the Nov. 3 general election.

For Harris, the stakes are deeply personal. After learning about the redistricting threat to Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District—currently represented by U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures—he became determined to act. “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.”

A Family Mission

The children find guidance and context from their grandmother, Sharon McClure, founder of the voter education organization Democracy Trailblazers. McClure, who recently appeared in a segment regarding the National Day of Action, has been instrumental in teaching the kids about the history of the voting rights movement and the consequences of low turnout.

“What the kids are telling them is, ‘Protect me. Protect my future. If you don’t care about politics for yourself, at least protect me,’” McClure said.

Marable, who designed the group’s logo—a Black fist framed by yellow flames—emphasizes their sense of determination. “The flame shows people how determined we are at encouraging young people 18 and older to vote,” she said. Marable and Harris are part of Gen Alpha, a generation too young to vote but eager to hold the line for those who can.

Making an Impact

As youth leaders across Alabama continue the fight for voting equality, Operation Forward is using every tool at its disposal, including a dedicated Facebook page. Their efforts have already seen success; during a recent primary, the kids successfully persuaded 40 adults to commit to voting, requesting photos of “I voted” stickers as proof.

Whether speaking at events like the one in Irondale’s Beacon Park or making direct calls to relatives, the message from these children remains consistent: they want a future defined by peace and equality. For those interested in joining the movement, you can reach out to the organization via Facebook or email McClure at democracytrailblazers@gmail.com.