We hear this a lot, and the reality is more complicated. In every presidential election going back to 2004, more than 75% of registered youth turned out. The reason it's a huge accomplishment to get them to register is that it also involves more than just filling out a form. It includes providing information and social context to encourage them to register.
And once they are registered, candidates can see them in the voter file, and that can be the first step in a more meaningful dialogue where democracy serves everyone. One of the great things about high school voter registration drives is that they create and build on real social connections and motivation. We've got lots more on the Substack and also at the website at thecivicscenter.org.
People (young people in particular) are not excited about voting because there is no comprehensive or usable voter information anywhere! I don't understand why people think it's such an accomplishment to get people to register to vote knowing the newly registered voter has no idea who or what is on their ballot - and no practical way of finding out before standing in the voting booth. YouTube, Spotify, Netflix, Instagram, TikTok, Amazon, etc.... all have "suggestion" features that introduce new products, services, and artists to their users. Every industry understands to keep someone's interest you can't just push the same thing day after day - year after year - decade after decade. Except of course "democracy reformers." They keep pushing voter registration without as much as what is on someone's ballot. Imagine if Spotify expected you to sign up for their service without allowing you to see the list of artists they have. Imagine Netflix asking you to create an account so that in a few months from now you could tune in to see what shows they have. All these services understand information is everything - elections are no different.
I think phone banking to high school principals would be the fastest way to make sure more 18 year olds are registered to vote by the October 26 deadline. I had AP Civics in High School. President Harris (I’m trying to think positive) should require the Department of Education to enforce a Civics class as a requirement for graduation.
We hear this a lot, and the reality is more complicated. In every presidential election going back to 2004, more than 75% of registered youth turned out. The reason it's a huge accomplishment to get them to register is that it also involves more than just filling out a form. It includes providing information and social context to encourage them to register.
And once they are registered, candidates can see them in the voter file, and that can be the first step in a more meaningful dialogue where democracy serves everyone. One of the great things about high school voter registration drives is that they create and build on real social connections and motivation. We've got lots more on the Substack and also at the website at thecivicscenter.org.
We recommend contacting people in your network. Here's our post on best ways to help: https://thecivicscenter.substack.com/p/what-can-i-do-to-help
Here is our post with some examples: https://thecivicscenter.substack.com/p/high-school-voter-registration-heroes
The US Department of Education has given guidance supporting nonpartisan high school voter registration drives. https://thecivicscenter.substack.com/p/us-department-of-education-promotes
Our program of training students and educators to hold drives in their schools has great results. The key is funding so we can have great staff build the relationships. We welcome donations for this important work! We are nonprofit and nonpartisan and part of a 501(c)(3). https://secure.everyaction.com/BrhJvhmGU0e8vjIyMXQLdg2?ceid=29253311&emci=a45af7ef-6461-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&emdi=abe4135b-d562-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&refcode=website
People (young people in particular) are not excited about voting because there is no comprehensive or usable voter information anywhere! I don't understand why people think it's such an accomplishment to get people to register to vote knowing the newly registered voter has no idea who or what is on their ballot - and no practical way of finding out before standing in the voting booth. YouTube, Spotify, Netflix, Instagram, TikTok, Amazon, etc.... all have "suggestion" features that introduce new products, services, and artists to their users. Every industry understands to keep someone's interest you can't just push the same thing day after day - year after year - decade after decade. Except of course "democracy reformers." They keep pushing voter registration without as much as what is on someone's ballot. Imagine if Spotify expected you to sign up for their service without allowing you to see the list of artists they have. Imagine Netflix asking you to create an account so that in a few months from now you could tune in to see what shows they have. All these services understand information is everything - elections are no different.
I think phone banking to high school principals would be the fastest way to make sure more 18 year olds are registered to vote by the October 26 deadline. I had AP Civics in High School. President Harris (I’m trying to think positive) should require the Department of Education to enforce a Civics class as a requirement for graduation.