Laura W. Brill, Laya Reddy, and Vicki C. Shapiro 12/16/21 Laura W. Brill, Laya Reddy, and Vicki C. Shapiro 12/16/21

Low Voter Registration Rates Among Teens Threaten To Depress Youth Voter Turnout in 2022 Midterm Elections

TCC found the average pre-18 registration rate was just 12% among the 17 states and Washington, D.C. that provided data (see chart below). Indeed, only four states—Colorado, Maryland, North Carolina, and Utah—have a pre-18 registration rate of 20% or higher.

Alejandra Gonzalez, Brown University '20 2/24/20 Alejandra Gonzalez, Brown University '20 2/24/20

Arizona’s Low Voter Pre-Registration Numbers

According to The Civics Center’s analysis, only approximately 2,527 of 17-year-olds in Arizona have taken advantage of the early registration law as of mid-2019. That represents just about 2.69% of the 17-year-olds in the state.

Vicki C. Shapiro 11/7/19 Vicki C. Shapiro 11/7/19

Will the Class of 2020 Vote Next November? California’s Governor Just Vetoed Legislation That Would Have Made it More Likely.

Almost every member of the Class of 2020 in California high schools will be old enough to vote next November. But will they be registered? Governor Gavin Newsom just vetoed AB 773, which would have required public high schools to give students the opportunity to register or pre-register to vote and to teach students about the voting process.

Dylan Morrissey 10/29/19 Dylan Morrissey 10/29/19

4,000 Youth Registrations during High School Voter Registration Week

The first-ever nationwide High School Voter Registration Week was a big success! The week of action improved low youth voter registration rates by encouraging and supporting students to register and pre-register eligible 16, 17, and 18 year-olds to vote.

Laura W. Brill 9/9/19 Laura W. Brill 9/9/19

A Letter to High School Climate Strikers

What you are planning is remarkable. I’m a lawyer, parent, and former law clerk to Justice Ginsburg (yes, the Notorious RBG). As I asked myself what I might do to support you, I tried to imagine what might be on your mind.

Brianna Velasco, University of California, Los Angeles '20 9/4/19 Brianna Velasco, University of California, Los Angeles '20 9/4/19

35% of Maryland Teens are Pre-registered to Vote

As of 2018, Maryland became the 18th state to adopt Election Day Registration, allowing eligible citizens to register to vote and cast their ballots at the same time during the early voting period through election day. Despite the state’s efforts to engage its citizens in the electoral process, more than half of the counties in Maryland have a pre-registration rate lower than 40%.

Alejandra Gonzalez, Brown University '20 8/28/19 Alejandra Gonzalez, Brown University '20 8/28/19

In D.C., the Doors are Open

According to The Civics Center’s new analysis, as of August 2019, only 19% of 16- and 17-year-olds in D.C. are pre-registered to vote. Despite D.C.’s success in passing reforms aimed at removing obstacles to voter participation, there is still room for improvement, especially in fully engaging youth in the electoral process. An estimated 4% of D.C.’s 16 year-olds are pre-registered to vote, while there is a significant increase of pre-registered 17 year-olds at 35%.

Brianna Velasco, University of California, Los Angeles '20 8/21/19 Brianna Velasco, University of California, Los Angeles '20 8/21/19

Less than 1% of Maine 17-year-olds are Pre-registered to Vote

Youth ages 18-29 make up only 15% of the Maine population. In the 2018 election, voter turnout amongst 18-29 year-olds in the state was 36.4%, slightly above the 31% national average. Despite the expansion in legislation and youth turnout, every county in Maine has a pre-registration rate lower than 3%.

Brianna Velasco, University of California, Los Angeles '20 8/14/19 Brianna Velasco, University of California, Los Angeles '20 8/14/19

Massachusetts Pre-registration Rate Rises to 25%

In 2018, the pre-registration rate in Massachusetts reached 25%, as more than 42,378 eligible 16- and 17-year-olds pre-registered to vote in the state. Between 2016 and 2018, Massachusetts pre-registered more than 62,183 young people.

Brianna Velasco, University of California, Los Angeles '20 8/7/19 Brianna Velasco, University of California, Los Angeles '20 8/7/19

Only 19% of Rhode Island Teens Are Pre-registered to Vote

A new analysis released by The Civics Center reveals that 19% of 16- and 17-year-olds are pre-registered to vote in Rhode Island. Providence County, with the largest population in the State, has the lowest preregistration rate -- just 12%. On the flip side, Bristol County, with the lowest population has the highest preregistration rate at 26%

Brianna Velasco, University of California, Los Angeles '20 7/24/19 Brianna Velasco, University of California, Los Angeles '20 7/24/19

New Study Reveals 14% of Utah 16- and 17-year-olds Are Pre-registered to Vote

The 2018 primary elections made Utah history as they were the first to allow pre-registered 17-year-olds to cast a ballot in the state. Despite the promise of this new law, more than two-thirds of the counties in Utah had fewer than 20% of 16- and 17-year-olds pre-registered.

Laura W. Brill 9/30/18 Laura W. Brill 9/30/18

Under 18 in Arizona?

Some states don’t have a formal system of pre-registration, but young people can register to vote if they will be 18 by the next general election.