A little-known fact of American democracy is that most high school students are old enough to register to vote. Yet our systems make it far harder than it should be. In this piece for U.S. News & World Report, we explore the barriers young voters face and what needs to change.

High school students across the country are watching Minneapolis and asking what it means for them. This article reflects on power, protest, commitment, and the role young people play in shaping democracy when moments feel urgent and uncertain.

More than 187,000 Minnesota high school students are eligible to register or preregister to vote, a number larger than the margin of victory in the 2024 Minnesota elections.

New Jersey’s new preregistration law gives high school students a rare opportunity to shape a special election, starting with the January 15 voter registration deadline.

As a new year begins, millions of young people are gaining the right to vote. This is a reminder that civic power starts with registration, and that first-time voters can shape what comes next in 2026.

A look at why support for young voters fades when it matters most, and how meaningful civic engagement in high schools can change that, as highlighted in Laura Brill’s new piece in The Contrarian.

Laura W. Brill examines why youth voter registration fails and how public officials and school systems can drive real reform through high school access.

Teen voting doesn’t fail because teens don’t care. It fails because systems are confusing and adults underestimate their influence.

Young voters face steep registration barriers, and states like New Hampshire lag far behind Michigan and Virginia. Understanding these obstacles is key to improving youth turnout in 2026.

Laura Brill invites readers to a major Civics Center milestone and an SSIR conversation on youth engagement, democracy, and the systems shaping participation.

Post-2024 narratives said young voters were shifting right, but 2025 data shows strong youth engagement and solid pro-democracy support across key races.

You can’t fix what you can’t see. That’s why we created data visualizations exposing the massive voter registration gap between young and old voters. High school students have the power to close that gap—and reshape the future of our democracy.

Take five minutes to stand up for democracy. The Election Assistance Commission is considering new rules that would make it harder to register to vote—submit your comment by October 20 to oppose this change.

The youth voter registration gap leaves millions of 18-year-olds without a voice in elections. Data visualizations show the disparities—and how teens can close them.

Only 25% of 18-year-olds in Pennsylvania are registered to vote compared to 74% of older voters. Closing the voter registration gap is key to strengthening democracy.

National Voter Registration Day highlights a critical gap in our democracy: millions of 18-year-olds are not registered to vote. High school voter registration drives can empower students to take action and ensure every young person has a voice.

The Civics Center and Energizing Young Voters are teaming up to boost high school voter registration and youth civic engagement across New Jersey.

The Civics Center and PA Youth Vote have signed a new partnership to expand youth voter registration in Pennsylvania. Together, they aim to empower students and educators with nonpartisan, data-driven programs that strengthen civic engagement across the state.

California’s special election in November 2025 could reshape redistricting nationwide. With over a million young voters at risk of being left out, youth registration is critical to protecting democracy.