Demand a Seat: Students Edition

Special Edition
for Students

Demand a Seat: Students Edition is an in-depth training that prepares young gun safety advocates to become candidates for elected office and to support campaigns for Gun Sense Candidates. Training includes sessions on the fundamentals of building and running winning campaigns.

Guns are the #1 killer of young people in America

Young people in this country have grown up living in fear of gun violence in our schools, neighborhoods, and so many other places that should be safe. It’s unacceptable.

We know that gun violence is preventable, but for far too long, many of our lawmakers have sat on their hands, offering us thoughts and prayers while refusing to take action. But empty words don’t cut it.

That’s why young people have been stepping up in communities across the country to demand more from our leaders.

The results are undeniable: when we show up, we are a powerful political force in this country.

Through Demand a Seat: Students Edition, young people can get the training, tools and support to take that advocacy one step further: to run for office or support the campaigns of Gun Sense Candidates.

Because young people should have a say in the decisions that impact their generation and future ones. And if lawmakers won’t keep us safe, we’ll run to replace them.

Young gun safety advocates have been fighting for change in our schools, state houses, on Capitol Hill, and at the ballot box.

Key Topics

  • Organizing and building campaign teams
  • Campaign budgeting and fundraising
  • Crafting and honing your campaign messaging
  • Voter contact strategies
  • Role of campaigns in creating social change
  • Digital organizing tools

Frequently Asked Questions

The application period for the current cohort is closed. Check back here [time] to learn more!

  • Application window: Dates TBD
  • Application review/interview window: Dates TBD
  • Final interviews: Dates TBD
  • Selection Announcements: Dates TBD

Friday, October 6, 2023 – Sunday, October 8, 2023

Demand a Seat: Students Edition provides extensive in-person training to students who are interested in running for office and working on campaigns. Training is delivered by seasoned campaign pros and politicians, enabling participants to learn the fundamentals of building a winning campaign, including organizing and building campaign teams, budgeting and fundraising, and effective messaging.

We are looking for participants who demonstrate a clear desire and commitment to either running for office or taking an active role working for a Gun Sense Candidate’s campaign within the next five years.

You do not need to be a current Students Demand Action volunteer to be accepted into the program, but you must have a demonstrated commitment to combating gun violence in your community. If accepted to the program, you will be expected to take at least three actions with your local Students Demand Action or Moms Demand Action chapter before the training takes place.

Participants must be between the ages of 16-24 as of the training. Parental or legal guardian consent is required for participants under the age of 18.

Demand a Seat: Students Edition is not only intended for those considering running for office during the current cycle—it is open to volunteers who are considering running for political office at any point in time, or those who would like to work on campaigns or in support of Gun Sense Candidates. If you are not sure if you are going to become a candidate or work on a campaign, you are still welcome to participate in the Demand a Seat: Students Edition. Our hope is that learning more about the process will help you to make more informed decisions about running for office or working on future campaigns.

Yes! Demand a Seat: Students Edition is also open to volunteers who may be interested in becoming campaign managers or campaign staff. Our hope is that participating and learning will help people make more informed decisions about running for office or working on campaigns for future Gun Sense Candidates.

Demand a Seat: Students Edition provides much of the same training and tools that Demand a Seat does, but has been designed to maximize the skillsets, talents, and innovation of young leaders in an in-person, weekend-long training. Students Demand a Seat will empower young people to connect with their peers, build community and actualize the power of Gen Z in an environment designed just for them.

Demand a Seat: Students Edition is a first-of-its-kind program geared specifically toward young people looking to take their advocacy work in the gun safety space to the next level.

While this program features a curriculum designed specifically with young people in mind, every participant of the program will be connected to a built-in network of program participants, alumni, and a community of millions of gun safety advocates and survivors across the country—something no other program can claim.

As one of the largest grassroots organizations in the nation, we provide a unique support network of campaign volunteers who already know how to help Gun Sense Candidates win by knocking on doors, hosting phone banks and raising money. By joining this program, you’ll be trained in and connected to unmatched resources and systems to support your run for office or your work to build successful campaigns.

Students Demand Action will cover travel, meal, and lodging expenses for participants who attend the Demand a Seat: Students Edition training in October 2023.

There will be additional opportunities for you to apply to participate in this program in the future and we will notify all applicants of future Demand a Seat: Students Edition opportunities.

This program will comply with all relevant campaign finance laws so if you have already declared your candidacy for public office please reach out to us directly about potential participation.