In Arizona’s most populous county, youth voter registration rates are on the rise, but progress is uneven among school districts, and there is still a long way to go.

Voter registration rates for 17- and 18-year-olds in Maricopa County, Arizona have increased by nearly 50% (from about 21,000 to about 31,000) between August 2019 and April 2020. With the general election just six months away, however, and the challenges of COVID-19, there is still a long way to go.

Only half of 18-year-olds in Maricopa County are registered to vote. While 17-year-olds in Arizona can register to vote if they will be 18 by November 2020, only 11% of all 17-year-olds in Maricopa County have taken advantage of this opportunity. This sadly low number still represents a huge improvement from the rate last summer, when just 4% of Maricopa County 17-year-olds were registered. 

Within the county, some school districts are succeeding more than others in increasing voter registration. For example, in Saddle Mountain District in Tonopah, about 97% of 18-year-olds are registered, while in contrast, only 35% of 18-year-olds in Glendale Union District are registered. Although some districts boast registration rates over 80% for 18-year-olds, the registration rate of 18-year-olds is less than 50% in more than half of the school districts in Maricopa County. Within Phoenix Union High School District (with more high school students than any other district), more than 6,000 17- and 18-year olds (30%) are registered.

Overall, registration rates for 18-year-olds are significantly higher than those for 17-year-olds in Maricopa County. Even in Agua Fria District, which has one of the highest registration rates in the county, only 22% of 17-year-olds are registered, while about 87% of 18-year-olds are registered. Although fewer 17-year-olds than 18-year-olds are eligible, the vast majority of graduating high school seniors are able to register to vote today. 

While Maricopa County has shown large improvements in voter registration rates for both age groups since the summer of 2019, the low registration rates in most parts of the county, especially among 17-year-olds, is evidence that work still needs to be done. Disparities among school districts also need attention in order to encourage high youth voter turnout throughout the county. 

17- and 18-year-old Voter Registration Rates in Maricopa County school districts (2019 and 2020)