ENCINO, Calif. — Every vote matters.

That includes a group that has millions of members: skateboarders.

The nationwide grassroots movement, which started in Los Angeles, has the goal to get skateboarders to the polls. 

There are more than six million skateboarders in the country, and at least 3.4 million of them are eligible to vote in the upcoming election. According to the Skate to the Polls organization, about 80 percent of skaters said they intend to vote, but only 41 percent actually show up and vote.

That is why two skaters in Los Angeles, Krystin Stone and Steph Whyte, started Skate to the Polls.

Stone said it is a non-partisan movement to get millions of skateboarders, roller skaters, and roller bladders to the polls or mail in their ballots.

“Our whole mission was to show people how your voice really does matter,” said Stone.

Stone said another goal is to make elections relateable to fellow skaters. For example, as she spoke to Spectrum News 1 from Pedlow Skate Park in Encino, she explained: “Somebody has to make a judgment on the upkeep of it, on if it stays here.”

Stone said that somebody also has the power to decide whether skateboarding is legal in a city.

“The biggest piece of that is voted in officials,” she said.

Skate to the Polls co-founder, Steph Whyte, said some people think skaters just don’t care.

“Skate culture is counter culture, she said.

According to Whyte, skaters know their city better than anyone else does.  

“They [skateboarders] know the cracks in the ground. They know where the homeless people are. They know where there’s a lot of trash in the streets,” she said.

Whyte said skaters can be a great resource for city leaders, and the two groups could make a rad combo.

“It’s about reframing that mindset. Skateboarders don’t need to get into politics, it’s almost like politics need to get into skateboarding,” she said.

Whyte said Skate to the Polls is about reimagining politics. She said it’s “a way to make voting fun, and feel like the best skate session you’ve ever had with your friends.”

Part of their mission is to teach skaters the who, what, when, where, and why of voting. The list also includes how to register to vote.

Stone and Whyte helped long time skateboarder, Oriia Niitsu to register to vote using a cell phone.

“Just a more inviting way and friendly way to introduce voting to young people,” said Niitsu, who has learned about the elections through the organization.

Niitsu has been skateboarding since he was a kid. He said he likes it because “it’s just a sport, but it doesn’t have any set rules.”

Rules are not something skateboarders like Niitsu are typically into, just like the election.

“It’s not like the most exciting thing to me. I don’t really like politics,” he said.

Niitsu said he does not believe in a mostly two-party system. The November election would be the first one Niitsu is eligible to vote in.

Niitsu is 18.

“I want to vote. I’m just like; I don’t really know how much it matters,” he said. 

After talking to Stone and Whyte, Niitsu said he was more open to voting. He said it is always better to hear about things like the election from people he has common ground.

“Feels like a real person, instead of a sort of like corporate feeling,” said Niitsu about speaking to other skateboarders.

In the end, Niitsu said he is “down” to vote.

“I mean I guess the more people you get involved, the more of a democracy it is,” he said.

Skate to the Polls is hosting an in-person and virtual skate town hall Saturday, October 17 in South Los Angeles. The in-person event portion is a private event, according to Whyte, but will be available virtually to watch. The Skate Town Hall will include an open skate session and a panel of speakers (including skaters and people in politics). The organization, which is funded by sponsors and donations, also has events planned in New York and several other cities.  

Swing state activities in Florida, Ohio, Michigan, and Wisconsin will enlist the help of local skateboarding, arts, music, and culture communities. The latest information on events will be posted on Instagram.