Voter Registration

RATIONALE & RESEARCH

Conducting voter registration activities in K-12 schools is the most efficient and equitable way to ensure that all young people have the capacity to vote, when they are eligible to do so. Clear information about the mechanics of registration and voting also helps dispel myths and address anxieties which commonly prevent youth participation. Even when registration systems or information are accessible online, young people benefit from explicit guidance and support.

Research tells us:

• "In [CIRCLE’s] study of low-income, out-of-school youth, we found that only 10% of young people used online voter registration and just 5% used text reminders. These young people want to be able to ask questions and receive guidance to make sure, for example, that they are completing a registration form correctly. Thus, many preferred to register in person at nonprofit organizations or community events where they could receive support." ("Young, Rural, and Racialized: Reaching the Most Underserved Young Voters", 2020)
• "Some young people who have interacted with the criminal justice system, and/or whose communities routinely experience injustice and discrimination, assume that their right to vote may be in question. These assumptions are often incorrect." ("Young, Rural, and Racialized: Reaching the Most Underserved Young Voters", 2020)​

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Lesson Plans & Resources

Voting Must-Knows 

The League of Women Voters has a dedicated page collecting all the new rules and changes in place for elections - updated daily as election changes are occurring. Start here for bilingual help finding out what you and your students need to know as they prepare to vote this year.
Available in Spanish

Virtual High School Voter Registration Lesson Plan

Vote 411, brought to you by the League of Women Voters Education Fund, offers all the election information you need in one place - including localized ballot information for every voter in America in 2020.​
Reference/Tool

Plan a Digital Voter Registration Drive

Click "create a Drive Action Plan" on this Civics Center website to access a complete how-to manual for organizing, promoting, and launching a youth-focused voter registration drive. The guide includes sample texts, social media posts, emails, graphics, and Zoom video backgrounds. 
Reference, Student Guide

Voter Registration Age Requirements and Forms by State

This resource from The Civics Center clarifies when young people can register to vote in each state, as well as provides links to each state's online and paper voter registration materials.
Reference, Student Guide

Host a Voter Registration Drive

Download a free copy of the League of Women Voters' comprehensive High School Voter Registration Training Manual. League volunteers may be able to assist in setting up a voter registration program in your school.
Reference

State Statutes Related to Growing Voters

This article, by CIRCLE, identifies and analyzes the policies and statutes adopted by states which explicitly address voter registration and education activities in K-12 schools or opportunities for young people to engage in elections before they turn 18. Learn about trends across the country, and find the direct language and links to statutes offered in your state.
Reference

 

Checklist for a First-Time Voter

Use this simple checklist from the League of Women Voters to help new voters navigate the process from registration to casting a ballot.
Reference

Voting Matters!

Within this iCivics-created lesson, students will learn about how registration and voting works in their state, and create a flyer to share with someone in their life. This activity is a great way to kick off the election season, and promote voter registration in the larger community.
Lesson Plan

Civics Center Blog

Stay abreast of new resources for and perspectives on youth voter registration efforts through The Civics Center's blog.
Reference

Future Voters Club

At the bottom of this page of resources from The Civics Center, you can find a guide for young people to use in structuring and building a Future Voters Club at their school.
Reference, Student Guide

 

STORIES

NYC's Youth Voter Registration Drive Added Nearly 30k Students to Election Rolls

New York City hosts an annual Student Voter Registration Week to register and pre-register to vote eligible high school and college students across the city. This article highlights the collaborative efforts entailed in implementing that initiative.