Welcome, Minnesota!

Minnesota is the latest state to allow young people to preregister to vote beginning at age 16. The new law will go into effect on June 1, and it brings to 17 the number of states that allow preregistration at age 16.  

Virginia enacted a similar law that went into effect in 2022, and New York’s law went into effect in 2020.

Why is the growing number of states to enact preregistration laws important? One of the biggest obstacles to youth participation is voter registration. We’ve been studying registration rates for 18 year olds nationally and in states across the country, and everywhere we look, they are depressingly low, almost always below 50% and usually under 30%. https://www.thecivicscenter.org/publications

Allowing young people a reasonable window in which to preregister while they are still in high school gives them a greater chance to learn how to register in a nonpartisan educational setting as they come of age. We know that when young people start voting at an early age, it becomes a lifelong habit. Preregistration in high school can also break the cycle of politicians and candidates ignoring young voters. Candidates rely on voter files, and when young people are not in the voter file, they are invisible, especially to state and local candidates without a huge budget or staff.

Other states are catching on. Pennsylvania has a bill pending, HB403, and Michigan may be next. New York has a bill pending, S1733, to provide more coordinated implementation of its preregistration law.

We’re thrilled to see state legislatures grasping the promise of high school voter registration. A law is only so good as the use we make of it. Students, parents, and educators can all breathe life into these laws by making voter registration part of high school life. Like prom, homecoming, theater, awards ceremonies and yearbook, voter registration should be woven into the fabric of high school. 

With graduation approaching, it’s a great time for students and educators to learn how to Run-A-Drive in their schools, and take part in our Cap, Gown & Ballot campaign. There are roughly 9 million current high school students who will be eligible to vote in 2024, but only if they are registered. 

Shout out to the growing movement to welcome America’s youngest voters into our democracy. Way to go Minnesota! Which state will be next?