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

New Study Examines Impact of State Election Law Reforms on Young Voters

July 15th, 2009
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STATES HAVE THE POWER TO INCREASE YOUTH VOTER PARTICIPATION
Election day Registration most Effective in Boosting Youth Voter Turnout

Minneapolis, MN – With a record youth voter turnout in the 2008 election, allowing voters to register at the polls on Election Day was the most effective way to boost youth voter turnout according to a new report analyzing the impact of state election law reforms on young people in the 2008 election.

The report, conducted by the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) at Tufts University’s Jonathan M. Tisch College of Citizenship and Public Service, found young Americans in the nine states with Election Day registration laws (EDR) were 41 percent more likely to vote than those living in states without EDR after controlling for education, gender, age, race/ethnicity and marital status.  EDR also may decrease the disparity between young and older voter turnout. Before implementing EDR, Idaho, New Hampshire and Wyoming were amongst the worst states in terms of turnout inequality between young and older Americans. This gap has closed in all three states since EDR was implemented. The full fact sheet can be found here.

At the National Association of Secretaries of State summer meeting, CIRCLE Senior Researcher Emily Kirby said the results of the study prove states can do more to increase youth voter participation. “Young voters came out in record numbers in the 2008 election with 51 percent going to the polls, but the turnout ranged widely across states,” said Kirby. “Seven of the top ten states had the most ambitious voter turnout measures. It is crucial that states use this information to see which methods work best and tailor the legislation to the needs and characteristics of their younger constituents.”

While EDR showed the most results, the study also concluded keeping polls open for more than 12 hours on Election Day increased the youth voting rate by seven percentage points among full-time working youth and five percent points among part-time working youth.  Part-time students also benefited from extended voting hours, also receiving a five percentage points boost.

The study also found offering no-excuse absentee voting proved to be effective. In the 2008 election, 14 % of American youth voted by mail. In the states where No-Excuse Absentee Voting was an option, 23% of young people who voted did so via absentee ballot. Results also showed states requiring all registered citizens to be mailed information on polling locations produced higher youth turnout rates than states that did not require such action.

The report also produced a couple of unexpected results. The 30 states that required private firms to provide time-off or vacation time to employees to vote saw no significant link to an increase in youth turnout.  In addition young voters in 32 states that permitted no-excuse pre-Election Day in-person voting were not more likely to vote than others. However, 24 percent of 18- to 29-year-old voters from the states that allowed in-person early voting voted early and in person.

“The study serves as a guidebook for what works and what does not,” said Kirby. “It’s time for our state legislators to take action and implement laws that allow citizens from every stage of life to participate in our government to the fullest possible extent.”

The press release is available here.

19 Responses to “New Study Examines Impact of State Election Law Reforms on Young Voters”

  1. CIRCLE – A nonpartisan research center studying youth civic … | Ephemera 21 Says:

    […] Excerpt from: CIRCLE – A nonpartisan research center studying youth civic … […]

  2. links for 2009-07-17 - Kevin Bondelli’s Youth Vote Blog Says:

    […] CIRCLE – A nonpartisan research center studying youth civic engagement and civic education. »… […]

  3. Election Laws and Young Voter Turnout - Kevin Bondelli’s Youth Vote Blog Says:

    […] This month CIRCLE released a report on the effects of state voter registration laws on young voter turnout. […]

  4. Spine Care Says:

    It’s very crucial that we examine our electoral laws from time to time and make it in tune with the many changes that we are currently experiencing. A reform for the better is always welcome. 🙂

  5. Margaret Says:

    I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.

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  6. anunturi Says:

    Youth organizations should be working with state legislators to reform their elections processes and enact some or all of the policies mentioned in the report, as well as others, such as online registration and permanent vote-by-mail.

  7. Rabbit Hutch and Run Says:

    I think it makes sense to allow voters to register at the polls on Election Day and states should do all they can to make it easier for the youth

  8. craigs list Says:

    This is one of the best article here !!!

  9. zadania matematyczne Says:

    Good content, thx for sharing 🙂

  10. Reiki Says:

    Youth should start supporting this matter. Officers must do something to reform the election process.

  11. Pool Remodeling Says:

    Youth voters need to be more proactive, the majority of them have no interest in the decisions congress makes.

  12. Human Resource Management Says:

    Yes young voter make good impact on election.

  13. Governement Watch Says:

    Young voters have the power to change our the shape of our Government, as was shown in the recent Presidential election. The more young people get involved, the more change we will see. And that could be a good thing because it means more of our population is being heard.

  14. Governement Watch Says:

    On another note, it was refreshing to see the influx of young voters and the enthusiasm for getting involved in politics. As a twenty-something myself, I was energized with the last election and hope to continue that energy moving forward.

  15. hipaa it Says:

    Allowing people to vote by mail was a great offering. It was very easy to use.

  16. Mark@School Grants Says:

    It’s true, young voters are what we currently need now to start of the necessary changes in our government. Their involvement is what we really need to make the different.

  17. Telemarketing Says:

    I agree with you, young voters are the hope of this country, without them this government will be reduced to shambles.

  18. linkslondon Says:

    It’s true, young voters are what we currently need now to start of the necessary changes in our government. Their involvement is what we really need to make the different.

  19. imobiliare Says:

    I agree, this is the different for young people