CIRCLE (The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement)
conducts research on the civic and political engagement of young Americans.
The Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement

FEATURED: New CIRCLE working paper shows college students respond strongly to an in-person drive; choose to vote “back home” in swing states.

September 20th, 2009
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By Kim Castle, Janice Levy, and Michael Peshkin

October 2009

bookIn CIRCLE working paper (#66), authors Kim Castle, Janice Levy and Michael Peshkin assess the outcomes of an in-person campus drive in which students were offered a choice of college-state voting in Illinois, or home-state voting by absentee ballot. The study found that the great majority of students who came from swing states chose to vote back home. Students from swing states preferred home-state voting over local voting by an 8-to-1 ratio. The study also found high turnout rates both for students who voted locally and by absentee ballot. 79% of students who registered locally voted, and 84% of students who got an absentee ballot voted. Although absentee voting is more complicated than local voting, most students chose absentee voting. The study concluded that:

  • Students can be diligent voters with high turnout, both by absentee ballot and in local voting.
  • Students who can vote in their home state or their college state are strongly influenced in that choice by the closeness of the presidential election.
  • Even in the internet era, in-person voter drives reach many students who would not otherwise vote.

*Download CIRCLE Working Paper #66 “Local and Absentee Voter Registration Drives on a College Campus”
*Download the Press Release

Suggested Citation:  Castle, K., Levy, J., & Peshkin, M. (2009). Local and Absentee Voter Registration Drives on a College Campus (CIRCLE Working Paper No. 66). Retrieved from Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) website: http://archive.civicyouth.org/PopUps/WorkingPapers/WP_66_CastleLevyPeshkin.pdf

35 Responses to “FEATURED: New CIRCLE working paper shows college students respond strongly to an in-person drive; choose to vote “back home” in swing states.”

  1. angular cheilitis Says:

    That only proves that most students now are developing their social awareness. They are a huge part of the country’s citizens that can really affect the situation.

  2. links for 2009-10-02 - Kevin Bondelli's Youth Vote Blog Says:

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  3. diy home improvements Says:

    Youth of today is proving to themselves that their nation needs their support. Wanting to achieve all the positive changes give the youths all courage they need.

  4. how to improve vertical Says:

    the youth is the future, they always will be so its important to start them off right

  5. CIRCLE Report: Peer-to-Peer Works, Registration Choice, and Absentee Ballots  - Kevin Bondelli's Youth Vote Blog Says:

    […] October 2009 CIRCLE report has been released about college students and voting. Here are some of the […]

  6. jake Says:

    “Students from swing states preferred home-state voting over local voting by an 8-to-1 ratio”

    Interesting. I guess it makes sense but I am surprised by the overwhelming preference for state voting.

  7. Litera Says:

    Candidats should pay more attention to the youth ahywhere they vote. Thats a big auditory.

  8. Contemporary Lighting Fans Says:

    The report on student’s voting is absolutely right,as they are the future of our nation just think about future next.

  9. Annie Daniel Says:

    Many people believe that youth of today will be our hope for better future. They become more aggressive because of their attitude towards all the issues that we are currently experiencing.

  10. Phone Number Lookup Says:

    It’s interesting that in-person voter drives reach many students who would not otherwise vote with the tremendous use of the Internet. But if you can get people to vote, I guess it doesn’t matter the platform.

  11. Matthew Jones Says:

    I think our youth now is more outspoken compared to the previous generation. They strongly fight for what they believe and do what they want. Even the consequences of these acts will seriously affect them.

  12. Ethan Brown Says:

    It doesn’t matter whether a student is an absentee voter or not. As long as he/she exercise his/her rights and plays his/her responsibility as a citizen, no big deal.

  13. Nick Jones Says:

    Civic Youth Engagement plays an important role in nation building and I am happy to find that you are working for this great cause, its an honor. Your working with great enthusiasm, and this what required. Thanks for sharing research.

  14. Sam@roofmaintenance Says:

    This all is good. Students are taking an active part in elections/polls. This is because of social awareness and good education.
    Sam@roofmaintenance

  15. Peter Says:

    I think that people should try to understand their own emotions, I guess this research is helping exactly this cause and so I am thankful.

  16. cap Says:

    I agree that youth is the future.They should have the rights.

  17. IT Company Says:

    Well I think Student voters have the highest turnout ratio as compare to other groups, whether it is by absentee ballot or local voting. This research by Kim, Janie and Michael is very useful to conclude the behavior of students near Presidential Elections. But we can’t rely on one factor for voting because there are many other varying factors person to person. Thank you.

  18. Dachik Says:

    mmm… I must to say that this article is really understand for me… I downloaded Press Release and has alredy begun to get acquainted with its contents

  19. Gribok Says:

    I am thankful, because when I downloaded this PDF files I reade this pages not one hour!

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  23. amazing cars Says:

    “79% of students who registered locally voted, and 84% of students who got an absentee ballot voted.”
    You are optimistic.. nowadays, teens are not interested about democracy

  24. Performance Tuning Says:

    The problem most of us had with Friedman’s writing was that he was unable to see that one could be mad, could be online, and could be productive all at once.

  25. Tapout Says:

    its just people in general!

  26. CFD Says:

    The working papers present research results that in whole or in part are suitable for submission to a refereed journal or to the editor of a book, or have already been submitted and/or accepted for publication.

  27. homemade wind turbine Says:

    it’s great the our youth are being aware about their voting rights.

  28. Rocking chair pads Says:

    Thank you for this analysis because I’m student of sociological department and I need such surveys for my diploma. I think I can take this subject for the basis. Keep up your work.

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  30. HID Xenon Says:

    But if you can get people to vote, I guess it doesn’t matter the platform.

  31. Jackie Says:

    Today’s youth are more open to their responsibilities as a citizen of their country. More often, they are more mature than the elderly when it comes to decision making on how to express themselves.

  32. dalaman airport transfer Says:

    This all is good. Students are taking an active part in elections/polls.

  33. Vintage hood ornaments Says:

    That just shows that most students are now developing their social conscience. They are a big part of the country that can really affect the situation.

  34. Full Download Says:

    The study also found high turnout rates both for students who voted locally and by absentee ballot.

  35. tiffany Says:

    I did read this blog and it was very interesting. I liked the second part the most.