The Civics Center encourages Congress to pass the Freedom To Vote Act
Executive Director Laura W. Brill celebrates the introduction of historic voting rights legislation, reflects on the inclusion of youth voting rights provisions, and calls for immediate passage.
Introducing Future Voter Scorecards: OC Edition
The Civics Center is introducing Future Voter Scorecards, which measure the percentage of registered voters among new 18-year-olds by school district. We are starting in Orange County, California, where approximately 35,000 young people will have turned 18 between last November’s election day and September 14 of this year, the final date to vote in California’s gubernatorial recall election.
Democracy Under Delta: A Summer of Voter Preregistration in California
Reports over the past year and a half have revealed the large toll the pandemic has had on voter preregistration in California. As of March 2021, only 11% of 16- and 17-year-olds were preregistered to vote in California, and only 10% in LA County. However, the numbers have been climbing since then, with a statewide increase of more than 1.32 percentage points.
Arizona survey shows students don’t know voter registration laws
We asked college students from Arizona about pre-18 voter registration eligibility in their state. Specifically, we asked at what age people in Arizona would be old enough to register to vote. Only 20% of respondents answered correctly.
Students want high schools to do more to help them register to vote
The Civics Center recently took a survey of college students from around the country to find out if they thought high schools should teach students how to register to vote. Over 90% of responding college students indicated that high schools should indeed teach students about registering.
On the 50th anniversary of the 26th Amendment, the need to protect voting rights is clear
Young people are as crucial to our democracy today as they were in 1971 when the 26th Amendment was enacted. It is time for our country to live up to its promise.
Statement on the For the People Act to 16 million Future Voters now in US high schools
Laura W. Brill, Executive Director of The Civics Center, issued the following statement to the 16 million future voters now in US high schools regarding their role in strengthening our democracy following Joe Manchin’s assertion that he will not vote for the For the People Act.
Youth voters in New York City high schools could shift the Mayoral race, if they’re registered
Tens of thousands of potential new voters will be graduating from New York City’s high schools in June, and polls show that next month’s primary election for New York City Mayor is a wide-open race. These youth voters could play a decisive role in the outcome of the election, but only if they are registered to vote.
New York expanded voter preregistration to age 16. A year later, and with a Mayoral election on the horizon, most people haven’t noticed.
Only 61,567 of the state’s 16- and 17-year-olds were preregistered to vote as of April 2021. That represents just 13% of the approximately 484,317 youth in that age demographic.
The Pandemic Led to a Steep Decline in California’s Preregistration Rates: Our Systems Should Evolve to Meet the Moment
The California Secretary of State recently published the state’s most recent youth voter preregistration statistics from February 10, 2021. This report has illuminated a troubling trend for youth engagement and preregistration.
Recognizing Educators on MLK Day
To honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the MLK Day of Service, The Civics Center encouraged others to embrace the day as an opportunity to express gratitude. We asked students from across the country to recognize the educators who taught them the importance of making their voices heard and participating in their communities.
Why I’m obsessed with high school voter registration
Welcome to 2021. As we look ahead, we know our democracy will continue to face challenges. We also know that young people care and will turn out to vote if they are registered.
The Youth Vote: A Parade of Non-Partisan Politics [Voices of Democracy series]
Following the 2018 midterms, I fell down the rabbit hole of youth political engagement (as one does) and came across a staggering statistic.
Voter Registration During a Pandemic: West Valley City, Utah [Voices of Democracy series]
During the week of our drive, I ended up coming down with COVID. Cases nationwide were spiking for what seemed like the millionth time this year. Our voter registration drive pulled through, and we got a lot of seniors registered to vote.
![Finding hope in writing postcards [Voices of Democracy series]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/652314331193f371477bb625/1719581948694-BM6R92DDAG54D2BE5FPE/image-asset.jpeg)
Finding hope in writing postcards [Voices of Democracy series]
I kept asking myself if my voter registration efforts over the last two years would amount to anything? Had I done enough? Would the youth electorate show up in record numbers? I hoped so. When you have been working towards something for so long, the last few moments feel the most chaotic and nerve-racking.
My godmother overcame Jim Crow laws to vote. I register voters for her. [Voices of Democracy series]
I could not let her sacrifices and perseverance go in vain. I knew I had to find a way to amplify the voices of my people and others in America who are silenced in not only our democracy today, but also throughout the history of our nation.
Never doubt the value of small actions [Voices of Democracy series]
When I decided to text-bank for the first time, I assumed the experience would make me feel irrelevant and useless.
Voting in my first election was just the first step toward making an impact [Voices of Democracy series]
It does not take a title to be an active citizen and step up to one’s civic duty. Sharing your voice and finding your passion is fundamental to contributing to important causes that affect your larger community.
Friendship is the key to expanding youth civic engagement [Voices of Democracy series]
Educating myself on current events in politics has allowed me to talk to new people and help deepen relationships with friends I previously had.