Skip to main content

Oregon State Flag An official website of the State of Oregon »

Oregon Secretary of State

John Lewis Youth Leadership Award

Presented by the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS)

The John Lewis Youth Leadership Award was created in 2021 by the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) to honor the incredible contributions and lasting legacy of Congressman John Lewis. Serving as a U.S. Congressman for 33 years until his passing in 2020, Congressman Lewis was a dedicated activist and advocate for social change.

This award celebrates young, talented, and civic-minded individuals under 25 years of age in each state, with the chance to recognize recipients twice a year. The award cycle starts at the NASS Winter Conference (January/February) and continues to the next winter conference. Each Secretary of State elects two recipients from their state each year.

Eligibility Requirements

  • The nominee must be a resident of Oregon
  • The nominee should be between the ages of 16 to 25 at the time of the award presentation.
  • The nominee is recognized in their community for being civic-minded and improving the quality of life in their community, which is Oregon.
  • The nominee has shown a meaningful commitment to address civil rights issues, including but not limited to voting rights, and to authentically bring about positive change in their community.
  • Each NASS member may award two NASS John Lewis Youth Leadership awards per calendar year.
  • Only award orders from dues-paying state member offices will be fulfilled.
  • The John Lewis Youth Leadership award may not be ordered less than 30 days prior to the conclusion of the member's term in office.
  • Under no circumstances is it permissible for a Secretary of State/ Lt. Governor to present a John Lewis Youth Leadership award for partisan or political purposes.
  • Under no circumstances is it permissible for a Secretary of State/ Lt. Governor to present the John Lewis Youth Leadership award for personal, financial or professional gain.
  • It is recommended to present the award to the recipient before the 2027 NASS Winter Conference

Frequently Asked Questions

A nomination for the John Lewis Youth Leadership Award can be submitted by anyone; one can even nominate themselves.

​

  • Environmental
  • Education
  • Food/Nutrition
  • Gender Equity
  • Healthcare
  • Housing
  • Immigration
  • Poverty
  • Safety
  • Poverty
  • Racial Justice
  • Voting Rights
  • ​Other
​

Nominees contact information should be submitted when completing the nomination form. If chosen, the nominee will be contacted via the information provided.​

​

Necessary Supporting Materials

A picture of the recipient must be sent along with the award submission. Up to ten pages of supporting materials, including news releases, news articles, or social media posts may be included as part of the submission, as long as they are digitized (no hard copies).


Social Media

State offices are responsible for issuing their own press releases and external newsletters content announcing the presentation of the awards. Publish, advertise, outreach, contact previous administration and partners. Then NASS will amplify that content on social media.


Oregon's Secretary of State Office is accepting applications for the 2027 John Lewis Youth Leadership Award. This Award recognizes the efforts of young Oregonians who have demonstrated exceptional civic contributions to their communities. The Award, established by the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) in 2021, honors the impact of the extraordinary accomplishments of Congressman John Lewis. Throughout his career as a U.S. Representative, Congressman Lewis strongly advocated for individuals’ voting rights and consistently encouraged young people to actively participate in in the democratic process.

Eligibility Criteria

The nominee, in formal or informal capacities, demonstrates empathy, the ability to influence others, and the courage to confront challenges. As a leader, the nominee works with their community by involving community members in decision-making, keeping them informed, and/or ensuring they are an active part of the nominee's work. ​

​

The nominee works to advance civil and human rights, such as voting rights, fair access to resources and opportunities, and freedom from discrimination and prejudice. ​

​

The nominee helps improve the quality of life of individuals and/or groups in their community by: drawing awareness to community challenges, identifying and promoting solutions, increasing access to basic needs including food, education, healthcare, voting, transportation or employment, increasing social connections, and fostering a sense of belonging. ​

​

Necessary Supporting Materials

A complete nomination must include:

  1. A completed nomination form
  2. A narrative describing the nominee’s accomplishments
  3. At least two and no more than ten supporting exhibits documenting the nominee’s contributions (e.g., news articles, letters of support, reports, photographs, publications, awards, or other supporting materials)
  4. A current photograph of the nominee.

All Nominator & Nominee Forms with exhibits must be received no later than October 30, 2026.

If you have questions, please contact oregon.sos@sos.oregon.gov or call 503-986-1500