Room for Improvement in Colorado Pre-registration Rates

Colorado high school students are eligible to pre-register to vote at the age of 16 or 17. Once pre-registered, they are automatically registered to vote once they reach 18-years old. A new analysis reported by The Civics Center reveals that only 31% of 16- and 17-year olds in Colorado were pre-registered to vote in 2018. Pre-registration rates vary widely among Colorado counties. Approximately 156,000 Coloradan 16- and 17-year olds have pre-registered to vote since the law took effect, according to the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office. In addition, over 60% of Colorado youth voted in 2018 while only 31% of young people voted nationwide in 2018.