Young South Carolinians have something to say.
“Ready to Vote” a new Palmetto Perspectives special from South Carolina ETV in partnership with Be The Ones is a statewide conversation featuring young South Carolinians — from first-time voters to student leaders — talking about what’s actually shaping their decisions, their hopes, and their role in our communities.
“READY TO VOTE”
Across South Carolina (& beyond), decisions are being made that impact our everyday lives — from education and housing to healthcare and economic opportunity. At the same time, many people, especially young people, are navigating confusion, barriers, and real questions about whether their voices matter in the process.
“Ready to Vote” exists in that tension.
This program creates space for young people across South Carolina to speak for themselves — not as statistics or talking points, but as people with lived experiences, ideas, and a clear sense of what’s at stake in their communities.
Whether or not you call South Carolina home, this is a conversation that will stay with you — and leave you with a real sense of hope.
“Ready to Vote” is part of the Palmetto Perspectives series and features fourteen young South Carolinians — first-time voters, students, and campus leaders — sharing their perspectives in their own words.
In this special, you’ll hear directly from young people about:
What’s motivating them to engage
Barriers they’re navigating
Issues shaping their decisions
How they see their role in the future of their communities
These are real conversations grounded in lived experience, uncertainty, curiosity, and hope.
This project is created in partnership between South Carolina ETV and Be The Ones.
Together, we set out to do something simple, but often missing:
Create space for young people to speak for themselves.
This collaboration is grounded in a shared belief that civic participation starts with people — with relationships, with stories, and with feeling like your voice belongs.
At a time when it can feel easier to disconnect or tune out, this show does the opposite. It invites us to listen more closely, to better understand one another, and to recognize that participation isn’t just about elections — it’s about the conditions that make it possible for people to show up in the first place.
At Be The Ones, this is the work we believe in deeply — creating spaces where people feel informed, supported, and able to engage in ways that are meaningful to them.
This show is one piece of that.
BRING THESE VOICES TO YOUR COMMUNITY
These conversations are meant to be shared — to spark conversation, reflection, action, and hope.
HOSTING A WATCH PARTY— whether it’s a few people in a living room or a larger community gathering — is a way to use this moment to engage, spark conversation, and uplift the voices of young people across our state.
We’re working with partners and community members to host gatherings across South Carolina this summer, and we’d love to bring this to your space — however big or small. Some gatherings will also include opportunities to engage with young leaders featured in the special.
Popcorn and joy encouraged!
Fill out this short form and we’ll be in touch in touch to coordinate!
BEHIND THE SCENES
Want to see more?
Explore behind-the-scenes clips, extended conversations, and moments that informed this special — all capturing the energy, honesty, and depth of these conversations.
👉 Watch Behind the Scenes Clips
(+ more dropping soon!)
INVEST IN THE RISING GENERATION
Projects like this don’t happen on their own.
They’re made possible by people who believe in building a more informed, connected, and participatory future — and are willing to invest in it. People like you who are willing to invest in our rising generation.
If you believe in creating spaces where people — especially young people — can show up, speak up, and shape what’s next, we invite you to support this work.