Meet Maanya Kaur: At 16, She’s Helping Sikh Americans Make Their Voices Heard
“Ik vote da ki? Why should I even vote?”
When a Sikh woman who had never voted asked 16-year-old Maanya Kaur this question at a SikhVOTE outreach table in California, Maanya realized that meaningful civic engagement requires more than explaining registration forms and election deadlines. It begins with helping people understand why their participation matters.
For Maanya, a SALDEF SikhLEAD intern and SikhVOTE volunteer, that conversation captured the purpose of her work: empowering Sikh Americans with the knowledge, confidence, and resources to participate in our democracy.
This Election Hero Day, SALDEF is recognizing emerging civic leaders like Maanya, whose commitment to seva(selfless service) demonstrates that young people need not wait until they are eligible to vote to strengthen civic participation in their communities.
Through SALDEF’s nonpartisan SikhVOTE initiative, volunteers are bringing voter education directly to gurdwaras, providing resources in English and Punjabi, and helping overcome barriers to participation. To date, SikhVOTE has reached more than 5,000 sangat members across over 12 states, strengthening Sikh American civic engagement one conversation at a time.
We spoke with Maanya about the experience that shaped her understanding of civic responsibility, the connection between Sikh values and democratic participation, and her message to the next generation of Sikh American leaders.
What has been your most memorable experience volunteering with SikhVOTE?
An aunty stopped by our table who was a U.S. citizen but had never voted. She asked me, “Ik vote da ki? Why should I even vote? It’s just more work for me.”
I had prepared to answer questions about registration forms and deadlines, but I hadn’t anticipated that question. She didn’t need help understanding how to vote. She needed a reason to believe her vote mattered.
We sat down and talked about how voting gives our community an opportunity to participate in decisions that affect our daily lives. From public safety and gurdwara security to addressing anti-Sikh hate and protecting programs that support our elders, the decisions made by elected officials have real consequences for Sikh American families.
By the end of our conversation, she told me she intended to vote.
That moment stayed with me because it demonstrated how one conversation can change someone’s perspective. Sometimes, the most meaningful part of civic engagement is helping another person recognize the value of their own voice.
How does your Sikh faith shape your commitment to civic engagement?
Guru Nanak Dev Ji teaches:
“ਵਿਚਿ ਦੁਨੀਆ ਸੇਵ ਕਮਾਈਐ ॥ ਤਾ ਦਰਗਹ ਬੈਸਣੁ ਪਾਈਐ ॥”
Vich duniya sev kamaaiai, taa dargeh baisan paaiai. (Ang 26)
To me, helping others participate in elections is an expression of seva. It is a way to serve our community and contribute to the well-being of those around us.
Sikh Americans live, work, study, and raise families across this country. The decisions made in our communities affect our opportunities, our safety, and our future. Civic participation allows us to help shape those decisions rather than leaving them entirely to others.
I believe our responsibility to serve extends beyond the walls of the gurdwara. It includes being informed, participating in our communities, and helping others do the same.
You’re only 16. What would you say to other young Sikh Americans who think they’re too young to make a difference?
You don’t have to be old enough to vote to make a difference.
There are meaningful ways for young people to participate right now, from volunteering at voter registration tables to helping family members understand election information and encouraging conversations about civic responsibility.
In California, eligible 16- and 17-year-olds can also preregister to vote, so their registration becomes active when they turn 18.
Getting involved early helps make civic participation a lifelong habit rather than something we only think about during an election.
I hope more young Sikh Americans recognize that our perspectives matter and that we have a role to play in building stronger, more engaged communities.
What has volunteering with SikhVOTE taught you about our community?
I’ve met sangat members who have overcome extraordinary challenges to build their lives in America, yet some remain uncertain about participating in elections.
I’ve learned that those hesitations cannot always be addressed with a pamphlet or a list of deadlines. Sometimes, what matters most is sitting down over a cup of cha, listening to someone’s concerns, and taking the time to answer their questions.
Those conversations have taught me that effective community outreach begins with trust.
When we meet people where they are, listen to their experiences, and provide information they can use, we make civic participation more accessible.
Every conversation is an opportunity to strengthen our community’s engagement and ensure more Sikh Americans feel empowered to participate.
The Next Generation of Civic Leadership Starts Here
Maanya’s experience reflects a broader commitment at SALDEF: investing in young Sikh American leaders who understand that lasting community change begins with service, trust, and meaningful engagement.
Through SikhLEAD and SikhVOTE, young volunteers are translating Sikh values into civic action, helping expand access to voter education while developing the skills to lead in their communities.
This Election Hero Day, we celebrate the individuals who make democratic participation possible and recognize young community leaders like Maanya who are helping more Sikh Americans take part.
Their work is a reminder that strengthening civic participation does not begin at the ballot box. It begins with the conversations, relationships, and acts of service that make participation possible.
Inspired by Maanya’s story? Help strengthen Sikh American civic engagement.
Join SALDEF’s nonpartisan SikhVOTE initiative to volunteer, access voter education resources, and help more sangat members participate in the democratic process.
Become a SikhVOTE Volunteer → saldef.org/sikhvote2026
Disclaimer: SikhVOTE is a nonpartisan voter registration and engagement program of SALDEF, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. It does not support or oppose any candidate or political party and is not conducted in coordination with any candidate or candidate’s committee. SikhVOTE is supported by Asian Pacific Islander American Vote.