HOW IT WORKS

Learn government by running it.

Students hold real offices, follow real procedure in real chambers and learn how state government works by running it.

The year

From delegation to Capitol

Form a delegation with an adult advisor.
Learn the three branches, how a bill becomes law and parliamentary procedure.
Choose a role: legislator, justice or attorney, cabinet official, reporter or candidate.
Prepare bills, cases or agency research.
Serve in committee hearings, floor sessions and elections.
Keep going with statewide leadership and national programs.

Procedures differ by state. Your state page is the final word.

Which role is right for me?

Write a bill with a team, then debate and vote in committee and in the chamber.

Runs committee sessions, where bills are first debated.

Elected by peers. Plans and runs the conference all year.

Sets the year's theme, picks the Cabinet, gives three speeches, and signs or vetoes bills.

Senior parliamentarian. Supports committee chairs and leads the service focus.

Chosen by the Youth Governor. Reviews bills and advises the Governor to sign or veto.

Knows all the cases, coaches attorneys and decides each round.

Works with a partner to write a brief and argue an appeal for 15 minutes. Cases range from A (new) to C (advanced).

Led by the Editor-in-Chief. Covers the conference with photos, social media and a nightly broadcast.

Running for office

Only returning delegates can run. Your advisor must approve.
Governor, Lt. Governor and Secretary of State candidates must be in 11th grade.
Submit the candidate form on time. Late forms may make you ineligible.
Only one student per delegation can run for each office.
Lt. Governor candidates must have served as a Committee Chair or Legislative Presiding Officer.
The Youth Governor attends the Y-USA Youth Governors Conference in June. Y-USA covers the cost.
Speeches are 3 minutes, 4 for Governor. Keep them positive and true to the Y core values.
Elected officers serve a full year and sign an officer agreement.

Conduct

Respect everyone and debate ideas, not people. Bullying can mean dismissal.
No weapons, alcohol, non-prescribed drugs, tobacco or vapes.
Wear your own badge at all times outside your room.
Dress professionally. Your advisor has the final say.
Enter only your own hotel room and follow curfew.
AI is a tool for research. It can't write your bill or speech, and you must understand and defend your positions.
Breaking the code can mean being sent home, with no refund.