YOUTH AND THE VOTE

TOP STRATEGIES/INITIATIVES TO INCREASE REGISTRATION & TURNOUT

State Policies and Resources

• Secretary of State voting website.
• Online registration, vote by mail, drop off boxes, and same day registration, facilitate access and encourage participation.
• During pandemic, ballots mailed to all registered voters.
• Washington: Election deadlines, dates, and rules

High school Initiatives

• 16 and 17 year olds can sign up to be Future Voters and are automatically registered at 18. More information about Washington’s Future Voter Program.
• Washington Bus partners with high schools to mobilize young voters and has registered more than 70,000 Washington voters (Impact Report). 

College and University initiatives

• Every campus is encouraged to participate in All IN Challenge and compete for Washington Campus Voting Challenge awards. 23 campuses participated in ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge in 2022; 
  • Two campuses won Platinum Awards for voter turnout rates > 80%.
  • Most Improved Turnout: Eastern Washington University
  • Highest Turnout: University of Puget Sound
    Highest Voter Registration Rate: University of Puget Sound
  • University of Puget Sound, at 84.9%, tied for the highest undergraduate voting rate nationally.

• WASHINGTON CAMPUS VOTER GUIDE

Other Resources and Initiatives

• League of Women Voters of Washington supports schools, teachers, and young voters with tools, tips, and civic education resources.
• Secretary of State Civic Education program.
• Washington’s overall turnout was 75.2% in 2020, one of the highest states in the US.