About CEDA

The Civic Engagement Day Act (CEDA) is a student-led, nonpartisan initiative dedicated to strengthening civic readiness in New Jersey. Founded by Leana Staines, a Youth Advisory Board Member for Harvard’s Making Caring Common Project, CEDA aims to ensure that every high school student learns the practical skills of participation: how to register, read a ballot, and engage confidently in democracy.

​

CEDA builds on New Jersey’s recent civic education progress, including Laura Wooten’s Law and High School Voter Registration Week, by adding an annual, hands-on day of civic learning for all students in grades 9–12. Through coalition-building, research, and student leadership, we’re working toward introducing CEDA as statewide legislation in the 2025–2026 session.

​

Our mission is simple: democratize civic education and empower the next generation of informed, confident voters.