YOUTH AND THE VOTE 2023

State and local efforts to facilitate voting – despite pandemic

• Voter registration at 16.
• Because of the pandemic, ballots were mailed to all registered voters. 
• 70% voted by mail in 2022 (vs 12% in 2016).  
• In-person and early voting also available.
• Board of Elections outreach to DC high schools and campuses.
• Home to ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge. 

Campus-wide competitions and campaigns to register & turn out voters

• Four DC campuses participated in the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge.
• In 2020, 93.4% of eligible Georgetown University students registered and 79.4% voted.

High school initiatives

• 100% eligible students and their teachers registered at Thurgood Marshall Academy. 
• 16?  Be a paid poll worker in DC. 
• Pre-register to vote from 16. Vote at 17 in primaries if 18 by the general.

NGOs supporting youth vote

• LWV and other NGOs support high school registration.

Increased emphasis on online communication, social media

• Because of large out of state student bodies, several campuses partnered with TurboVote to facilitate voting in home states.

Focus on issues of concern to young voters

• DC is a national center of civic engagement of concern to young people, e.g. marches, Black Lives Matter Plaza, abortion activism.

National Youth Summit for middle and high school students at Smithsonian Institution. 

• Pandemic: In-person classes and campus activities reduced.

• Voters 18-29 represent 27.1% of the electorate – the highest proportion in the US (tied with Utah). 
• Lack of statehood status and full Congressional representation may decrease interest in elections.  

State and local efforts to facilitate voting – despite pandemic

• NJ Portal for student voters.
• Because of the pandemic, ballots were mailed to all registered voters. 
• 86% voted by mail in 2020, versus 7% in 2016.
• Registration from 17–vote at 18. 
• State ID rules and helpline for New Jersey voters.

Campus-wide competitions and campaigns to register & turn out voters

• 27 NJ campuses participated in ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge.
• In 2020, the College of New Jersey had the highest turnout at 83.1% - a 30% increase from 2018.
• Colleges across the state compete to register the most students in the New Jersey Ballot Bowl. 
• NSLVE data critical to setting goals and tracking and evaluating results.  

High school initiatives 

• NJ’s High School Voter Registration Law requires school districts to “provide eligible voters registration materials, a summary of voter registration eligibility requirements, materials describing the role of a citizen, and materials articulating the importance of voting to all eligible high school students.”
• Newark, NJ provides high school voting information on line.
• NJ sophomore forms Livingston High School chapter of League of Women Voters.

NGOs supporting youth vote and leadership

• Students can participate in a mock election for NJ can
• DC Board of Election portal. didates sponsored by several NGOs.
• New Jersey Youth Leadership Corps competitive Outward Bound program.  

• In-person classes and campus voting activities affected by COVID-19.

• New Jersey’s overall adult turnout – 78.3% – was one of the highest in the US.

State and local efforts to facilitate voting – despite pandemic

• New laws expand early voting, mail-in voting, and drop-boxes across the state.
• State website for student voters.
• Pre-registration from 16.
• State ID rules and helpline for Maryland. 

Campus-wide competitions and campaigns to register & turn out voters

• 12 Maryland campuses participated in ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge.
• Loyola University won Platinum Award with 80% of eligible voters turning out in 2020 —up 32.5% over 2016.
• Towson tied for the best plan nationally – a plan driven by departments, students, and partners.
• NSLVE data critical to setting goals and tracking and evaluating results.  

High school initiatives

• Montgomery County recruits high school students to serve as paid poll workers.  
• School librarians have run a statewide “election” by students of best books since 1992.

NGOs supporting youth vote

• Maryland LWV trained volunteers actively promote voter registration and participation in schools and online. 

• College enrollment and in-person classes and campus activities reduced due to pandemic.

• Polling places reduced to 322 statewide due to lack of election judges–most are in schools.
• LWV and NAACP protest racial gerrymandering of districts.

State and local efforts to facilitate voting –- despite pandemic

• MNVotes.org provided information and tools like sample ballots by MN address.
• Student-friendly voting laws, e.g. same day registration and no excuse absentee voting.
• Long election season – voting starting in September.
• State ID rules and helpline for Minnesota.

State and campus-wide leadership and competition

• Strong campus leadership by faculty, students, and athletes on campuses statewide.
• 42 campuses participated in ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge; seven campuses won Platinum Awards for voter turnout rates > 80%.
• St. Olaf College won CDC award for highest voter turnout in U.S.—87.6% of eligible voters.
• Gustavus Adolphus College won one of the best action plans in 2020. 

High School initiatives

• Secretary of State held conversations with high school voters.  
• Support for civics education and engagement.
• Opportunities for 16-year-olds to be paid poll workers.

NGOs supporting youth vote

• League of Women Voters and Minnesota Youth Council.

• Pandemic restrictions and school closures made voting more challenging.
• Racial disparities persisted in voting patterns.

• Minnesota’s overall adult turnout in 2020 – 79.4% – was  the highest in the US (Pew Research).

State and local efforts to facilitate voting – despite pandemic

• Maine.gov voting portal.
• Voter registration at 17.
• COVID- and student-friendly voting laws, e.g. no-excuse absentee voting, acceptance of student IDs for registration and drop-off ballot boxes are facilitating access.
• State ID rules and helpline for Maine.

State and campus-wide leadership and competition

• Ten campuses participated in Maine Campus Challenge; four campuses won Platinum Awards for voter turnout rates > 80%. With a turnout of 85.4% of undergraduate students, Bowdoin College tied with the College of the Atlantic for the highest undergraduate voter registration rates nationally in ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge.
• Bowdoin documented its lessons learned to develop a comprehensive plan for the 2022 elections.   

High school initiatives

• Maine Students Vote has tools for teachers and students to get involved.
• League of Women Voters support first time and student voters. 

• Pandemic-related closings.

• Maine’s overall adult turnout in 2020 was about the same as 2018 while youth turnout went up by 12%.

State and local efforts to facilitate voting –- despite pandemic

• My Vote Wisconsin - easily accessible information about voting and registration including information about what is on the ballot in English and Spanish. 
• Pre-registration if you will be 18 by the next general election.
• Absentee ballots available and easily accessible
• State ID rules and helpline for Wisconsin.

State and campus-wide leadership and competition

• 20 campuses competed in the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge.
• 2020 Wisconsin Campus Voting Challenge Award Winners:
  • Highest Voter Registration Award, 2-year Institution: Madison Area Technical College
  • Highest Voter Registration Award, 4-year Institution: University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • Most Improved Voter Turnout Award, 2-year Institution: Western Technical College 
  • Most Improved Voter Turnout Award, 4-year Institution: University of Wisconsin-Madison 
  • Highest Voter Turnout Award, 2-year Institution: Madison Area Technical College 
  • Highest Voter Turnout Award, 4-year Institution: University of Wisconsin-Madison 
  • Best Campus Democratic Engagement Action Plan Award, 4-year Institution: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

High school initiatives

• State law allows high school students to work the polls.

NGOs supporting youth vote

• League of Women Voters assisting UW Madison students with voter registration and IDs. 
• NextGen Wisconsin promotes youth voting, volunteering and political action. 

Issues of concern motivated young voters

• Issues such as climate change are motivating young voters.

• Pandemic restrictions and school closings made it more difficult to vote.
• Campus IDs don’t always meet Wisconsin requirements for voter registration.

• WIsconsin’s overall turnout was more than 75%, one of the highest of all states.

State and local efforts to facilitate voting for young people

• New Hampshire Dept of State voting portal. 
• How to vote in New Hampshire.
• Vote by mail is available. 
• Ballotpedia provides easily accessible information for what is on each ballot. 
• State ID rules and helpline for New Hampshire. 

State and campus-wide leadership and competition

• Four campuses joined ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge.
• Dartmouth launched a Dartmouth Votes Coalition and website and achieved a 79.1% voting turnout rate in 2020.
• Basic voting information on some university websites.

High school initiatives

• List of NH schools and colleges approved to issue IDs for voting.  

Issues of concern to young voters

• Environment and abortion. 

• Complex laws and requirements for voting
• Potential costs associated with voting for college students  in New Hampshire. 
• No option for early voting

State and local efforts to facilitate voting 

• Secretary of State of Arizona website.
• How to vote in Arizona. 
• Absentee ballots are available and easily accessible. Early voting starts in July.
• Ballotpedia provides easily understandable voting information.
• State ID rules and helpline for Arizona.

State and campus-wide leadership and competition

• Seven campuses in Arizona participated in ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge.
• Arizona State University won Silver Award for 2020 turnout and student engagement. 2022 plan developed by student representatives.
• Lessons learned from a successful poll worker program.
• One-stop website for student voting. 

High school initiatives

• Concern re lack of adequate civic education in high schools in Arizona – in survey of AZ college students, 80% didn’t know the age at which people can vote in the state.
• Arizona Department of  Education civic education program.   

NGOs supporting youth vote

• Coalition supporting youth vote across Arizona.
• League of Women Voters, Arizona website.

Focus on issues of concern to young voters

• Climate and environmental issues are major concerns.

Student-led campaigns in 2022.

• Demands of pandemic response have deflected some attention away from voting.

• AZ Legislature considering restrictions on voting by out-of-state students.
• Concern “early voting and mail-in voting unjustly targets voters in underserved communities, the elderly, voters with disabilities, and those who live in rural communities or lack reliable transportation to the polls including Native Americans,” Pinny Sheoran, president-elect, LWV.

State and local efforts to facilitate voting – despite pandemic

• State of Iowa voting portal.
• How to vote in Iowa.
• State ID rules and helpline for Iowa. 

State and campus-wide leadership and competition

• 16 campuses participated in ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge. 
• Grinnell (86.7% voter turnout), Kirkwood, and Simpson Colleges and Iowa State all won awards in 2020. 

High school initiatives

• The governor presents the Carrie Chapman Catt Award to high schools that register 90% of their seniors.
• A person may vote if they are at least 17 and will be 18 years old on or before election day. In the case of primary elections, a person may vote if they will be 18 years old on or before the corresponding regular election.
• Iowa’s high school standards for civics education get failing grade. 

NGOs supporting youth vote

• Nonpartisan information on issues and voting from the LWV of Iowa.

Increased emphasis on online communication, social media

Follow Univ of Iowa VoteHawk.

• Ames Public Library and the League of Women Voters on who can vote in Iowa.
• Meeting Iowa ID requirements for voting – student IDs are not accepted.
• Grinnell College’s action plan commits to “Help students navigate complexity of the Covid-era regarding their voting options -- and -- now -- anti-voter suppression efforts.” 

State and local efforts to facilitate voting – despite pandemic

• VA Board of Election website has voting instructions for college students (in-state and out-of-state), information for high school students, and an “election mythbuster” section to counteract misinformation. 
• Pre-registration starting at 16.
• VA Voting requirements.
• State ID rules and helpline for Virginia.

State and campus-wide leadership and competition

• 21 campuses participated in ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, including the University of Virginia which achieved a 68% voting rate in 2020.  Virginia Wesleyan tied for the best Action Plan with its comprehensive plan to promote civic engagement campuswide.

High school initiatives

• Governor’s High School Voter Registration Challenge co-sponsored by the Board of Elections and the League of Women Voters recognizes high schools that register at least 65% of eligible students. Governor’s challenge not confirmed for 2022.
• K-12 Capitol Classroom for teachers and students to get involved.

NGOs supporting youth vote

• UVA’s Youth Leadership Initiative provides materials on civic education for teachers and students including a mock election.

Focus on issues of concern to young voters

• Students at James Madison University set up Tent Talks on campus to engage students in conversations about issues they cared about and encourage them to take action and vote.
• The fight for racial justice and BLM movement is influential for many young people.

School shootings stimulated interest in civic participation.

• Ames Public Library and the League of Women Voters on who can vote in Iowa.
• Meeting Iowa ID requirements for voting – student IDs are not accepted.
• Grinnell College’s action plan commits to “Help students navigate complexity of the Covid-era regarding their voting options -- and -- now -- anti-voter suppression efforts.” 

State and local efforts to facilitate voting –- despite pandemic

• The Secretary of State provides a variety of on-line resources on civic engagement and voting.
• Because of pandemic, ballots mailed to all registered voters. 
• State ID rules and helpline for Montana. 

State and campus-wide leadership and competition

• Six campuses participated in ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge.
• Montana State University increased turnout in 2020 to 76.2% including 55% turnout of its Native American students. 
• University of Montana is designated as a Voter Friendly Campus. 

High school initiatives

• Civics Montana hosts a statewide election for K-6 and 7-12 students each cycle and provides tools for teachers and students to get involved. 

NGOs supporting youth vote

• MontPIRG has worked for 40 years as a “student directed and funded non-partisan organization dedicated to affecting tangible, positive change through educating and empowering the next generation of civic leaders.” 

Increased emphasis on online communication, social media

• https://twitter.com/MontPIRG
• https://www.instagram.com/mtyouthaction/?hl=en

Focus on issues of concern to young voters

• Environment and climate are major concerns.

State and local efforts to facilitate voting

• Because of pandemic, ballots mailed to all registered voters. 
• Official Oregon site to support student voters.
• Residents of Oregon can register at 16, vote at 18.
• State ID rules and helpline for Oregon. 

State and campus-wide leadership and competition

• OSPIRG, founded by students at the University of Oregon in 1971, mobilized volunteers across Oregon and made 20,000 GOTV contacts in 2020. 
• Nine Oregon campuses participated in ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge. Oregon State University had a turnout of 73.3% of eligible voters on campus, a total of more than 20,000 students voting.
• University of Oregon and Oregon State also participated in the Pac-12 Voter Challenge.
• 100% eligible University of Oregon athletes registered to vote and kept score on a posted leaderboard. 

High school initiatives

• High school websites supported student registration in 2020 election. 

NGOs supporting youth vote

• League of Women Voters support civics education curriculum in Oregon schools as well as the Oregon Student Mock Election.

Increased emphasis on online communication, social media

• Voter education designed for zoom classes.

Focus on issues of concern to young voters

• Concern for environment, climate driving and racial justice driving civic engagement.

State and local efforts to facilitate voting

• Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts voting portal and online voter registration.
• Massachusetts is the home to CIRCLE, the Institute for Democracy and Higher Education, and NSLVE – all committed to young voters and located at Tufts University.
• Voter registration starts at 16, vote at 18.
• State ID rules and helpline for Massachusetts.   

State and campus-wide leadership and competition

• 46 campuses are participating in ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge. Two campuses won a platinum seal award. 
• Harvard Votes Challenge is led by students and seeks to engage all campuses and academic departments.
• Wheaton College won the “most improved rate” nationally – increasing 34% to 75.7%.
• Directions for student registration and voting from U Mass. 

High school initiatives

• Massachusetts LWV showcases high school civics initiatives.

Needham High School chapter of the League of Women Voters registers voters.

• A national poll by the Harvard Kennedy School documented a growing skepticism about the impact of voting and whether politics has tangible results. 

State and local efforts to facilitate voting

• State voting portal for college students.
• State ID rules and helpline for Pennsylvania.

State and campus-wide leadership and competition

• 72 campuses participated in ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge. 
• Eight campuses won Platinum Awards for voter turnout rates > 80%.  Dickinson College achieved 85% turnout of one of the highest undergraduate rates nationally.

High school initiatives

• Governor’s Civic Engagement Award recognizes PA high schools and students who engage students in voting.  Three award winners share what worked. 
• PA Youth Vote is a student-led nonpartisan coalition dedicated to getting all 18 year olds to the polls on Election Day. 

NGOs supporting youth vote

• Civic Center, Anti-Defamation League and the Urban League in Pennsylvania collaborated to register nearly 30,000 new voters.
• Dickinson Votes partnered with the Upsilon Delta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority to host a voter registration table at the Black Cultural Festival that was hosted by a local nonprofit, Hope Station. 

Increased emphasis on online communication, social media

• PA Youth Vote on Instagram

.Focus on issues of concern to young voters

Activism, issues, and influence of Gen Z in Pennsylvania.

• Low registration rates of eligible voters.

• Pennsylvania ranked #1 for Youth Voter Impact in 2022.

State and local efforts to facilitate voting – despite pandemic

• Secretary of State voting website.
• Washington signs up Future Voters, automatically registered at 18.
• Online registration, vote by mail, drop off boxes, and same day registration, facilitate access and encourage participation.
• Because of pandemic, ballots mailed to all registered voters. 
• State ID rules and helpline for Washington voters.

State and campus-wide leadership and competition

• Washington Campus Voting Challenge.
• 23 campuses participated in ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge;  two campuses won Platinum Awards for voter turnout rates > 80%.
• University of Puget Sound tied for the highest undergraduate voting rate nationally. 

High school initiatives

• Washington Future Voter Program
• Civic Education program. 

NGOs supporting youth vote

• Washington Bus partners with high schools and mobilizes young voters.
• League of Women Voters of Washington supports schools, teachers, and young voters with tools, tips, and civic education resources. 

Focus on issues of concern to young voters

Economic issues, gun violence driving engagement. 

• Washington’s overall turnout was 75.2% in 2020, one of the highest states in the US.

State and local efforts to facilitate voting – despite pandemic

• Secretary of State elections portal supports voter registration, conduct and security of elections. 
• State ID rules and helpline for Missouri  voters.

State and campus-wide leadership and competition

• 12 campuses participated in the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge. 
• 62.6% of eligible University of Missouri (Mizzou) students voted in 2020. Washington University in St. Louis received a Gold Seal for 70.8% turnout.

High school initiatives

• Springfield Public Schools, NAACP, and League of Women Voters are collaborating to register first time voters.

NGOs supporting youth vote

• vote411.org/missouri is sponsored by the Missouri League of Women Voters. 

Increased emphasis on online communication, social media

• Missouri State Paws to the Polls.

Focus on issues of concern to young voters

Voter registration in Missouri spiked after Roe reversal.

• Multiple rules pose challenges for new voters, for example requiring an excuse (not COVID) to vote by mail.

State and local efforts to facilitate voting – despite pandemic

• In Michigan, you drive at age 16, vote at 18, and must renew your license or ID in person at 21.
• Rules are complex especially for students who are out of state. 
• State ID rules and helpline for Michigan voters.

State and campus-wide leadership and competition

• 36 campuses participated in ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge;  Kalamazoo College won a Platinum Seal with a turnout rate 83.7% in 2020. 
• University of Michigan and Michigan State participated in the Big Ten Voting Challenge. Michigan incorporated TurboVote into Wolverine Access, their student portal.
• The Secretary of State recognized six winners of the Michigan Collegiate Voting Challenge for their success increasing voter participation and engagement in 2020.  

High school initiatives

• MI Vote Matters is a high school voter registration program led by the Secretary of State in partnership with nonpartisan civic engagement organizations.

NGOs supporting youth vote

• Promote the Vote MI is a coalition of nonpartisan organizations promoting voting reforms that “work for all of us.”
• LWV supports high school voter registration including in Washtenaw County.

Increased emphasis on online communication, social media

• Digital tactics such as texts, social media and phone banking encouraged peers to register and turn out to vote.

Focus on issues of concern to young voters

• The death of George Floyd was followed by mass  protests in Michigan and in nearby Minnesota. 

• COVID-19 influenced turnout in multiple ways.

• Because Michigan was a battleground state, there was a high level of media coverage of Michigan voters of all ages.