STATES HAVE THE POWER TO INCREASE YOUTH VOTER PARTICIPATION
Election day Registration most Effective in Boosting Youth Voter Turnout
Minneapolis, MN – With a record youth voter turnout in the 2008 election, allowing voters to register at the polls on Election Day was the most effective way to boost youth voter turnout according to a new report analyzing the impact of state election law reforms on young people in the 2008 election.
The report, conducted by the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) at Tufts University’s Jonathan M. Tisch College of Citizenship and Public Service, found young Americans in the nine states with Election Day registration laws (EDR) were 41 percent more likely to vote than those living in states without EDR after controlling for education, gender, age, race/ethnicity and marital status. EDR also may decrease the disparity between young and older voter turnout. Before implementing EDR, Idaho, New Hampshire and Wyoming were amongst the worst states in terms of turnout inequality between young and older Americans. This gap has closed in all three states since EDR was implemented. The full fact sheet can be found here.
At the National Association of Secretaries of State summer meeting, CIRCLE Senior Researcher Emily Kirby said the results of the study prove states can do more to increase youth voter participation. “Young voters came out in record numbers in the 2008 election with 51 percent going to the polls, but the turnout ranged widely across states,” said Kirby. “Seven of the top ten states had the most ambitious voter turnout measures. It is crucial that states use this information to see which methods work best and tailor the legislation to the needs and characteristics of their younger constituents.”
While EDR showed the most results, the study also concluded keeping polls open for more than 12 hours on Election Day increased the youth voting rate by seven percentage points among full-time working youth and five percent points among part-time working youth. Part-time students also benefited from extended voting hours, also receiving a five percentage points boost.
The study also found offering no-excuse absentee voting proved to be effective. In the 2008 election, 14 % of American youth voted by mail. In the states where No-Excuse Absentee Voting was an option, 23% of young people who voted did so via absentee ballot. Results also showed states requiring all registered citizens to be mailed information on polling locations produced higher youth turnout rates than states that did not require such action.
The report also produced a couple of unexpected results. The 30 states that required private firms to provide time-off or vacation time to employees to vote saw no significant link to an increase in youth turnout. In addition young voters in 32 states that permitted no-excuse pre-Election Day in-person voting were not more likely to vote than others. However, 24 percent of 18- to 29-year-old voters from the states that allowed in-person early voting voted early and in person.
“The study serves as a guidebook for what works and what does not,” said Kirby. “It’s time for our state legislators to take action and implement laws that allow citizens from every stage of life to participate in our government to the fullest possible extent.”
The press release is available here.
Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning & Engagement
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It’s very crucial that we examine our electoral laws from time to time and make it in tune with the many changes that we are currently experiencing. A reform for the better is always welcome.
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Youth organizations should be working with state legislators to reform their elections processes and enact some or all of the policies mentioned in the report, as well as others, such as online registration and permanent vote-by-mail.
I think it makes sense to allow voters to register at the polls on Election Day and states should do all they can to make it easier for the youth
This is one of the best article here !!!
Good content, thx for sharing
Youth should start supporting this matter. Officers must do something to reform the election process.
Youth voters need to be more proactive, the majority of them have no interest in the decisions congress makes.
Yes young voter make good impact on election.
Young voters have the power to change our the shape of our Government, as was shown in the recent Presidential election. The more young people get involved, the more change we will see. And that could be a good thing because it means more of our population is being heard.
On another note, it was refreshing to see the influx of young voters and the enthusiasm for getting involved in politics. As a twenty-something myself, I was energized with the last election and hope to continue that energy moving forward.
Allowing people to vote by mail was a great offering. It was very easy to use.
It’s true, young voters are what we currently need now to start of the necessary changes in our government. Their involvement is what we really need to make the different.
I agree with you, young voters are the hope of this country, without them this government will be reduced to shambles.
It’s true, young voters are what we currently need now to start of the necessary changes in our government. Their involvement is what we really need to make the different.
I agree, this is the different for young people