The Memphis Youth City Council is modeled after the Memphis City Council. It consists of 13 students, each elected by peers at their own school after running their campaigns. Seats 1-7 are filled by the winning candidates from one school per district. The remaining six seats are filled by the winning candidates from six schools within the two super districts.

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By participating in this process, students will:

• Be engaged through the campaigning, election, and representing process

• Propose legislation to remedy issues affecting them

• Listen to other students and act on their concerns

• Recognize the value of active community involvement

• Increase likelihood of future civic engagement

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The Memphis Youth City Council will benefit from having a diverse group of students—not just “top scorers”—as all students are encouraged to contribute their innovative, helpful ideas. Deciding candidates through student election is one way of ensuring this diversity. It engages more students in the electoral process and helps them understand the importance of community participation. The school lottery is designed so that all schools throughout Memphis will eventually have the chance for a representative to participate on the MYCC.