Non-partisanship & the role of voter registration in high school

The Civics Center is a non-profit, non-partisan organization. We do not support or oppose any candidate or party, and at the same time, we are part of the wider effort to fight voter suppression and support democracy, which includes meaningful civic engagement and participation for all youth. We support high school students and educators who run drives or awareness-building events in their schools and who commit to nonpartisanship.  

The US Department of Education has issued official guidance promoting high school voter registration. The U.S. Constitution protects freedom of speech, which includes talking about voting and registering to vote. Many state constitutions have similar protections. State and local social studies standards and curricular requirements generally support or require teaching students about voting and how and why to participate in democracy. Voter registration is part of that. For more on what every educator needs to know about high school voter registration, click here.

What every educator needs to know about high school voter registration

Educators often ask about the laws and policies that provide the framework for their drives. In some ways, high school voter registration is a civics lesson of its own. 

Federal and state laws and local policies can all impact voter registration and voter registration drives. We want to get you access to the big picture and the fine print.

The Big Picture

Here are the basics.

  • Registering to vote is the gateway to voting in almost every state.  For most voters – particularly students – it’s easy to get registered, but they have to take the first step. A little help makes a big difference.

  • The US Constitution prohibits states from denying or abridging the right to vote on the basis of age for anyone 18 years of age or older. The Constitution also protects freedom of speech, which includes talking about voting and registering to vote.

  • Many state constitutions have similar protections. 

  • The US Department of Education has issued official guidance promoting high school voter registration

  • Although states have set different age restrictions for registration, across the country, registration is allowed before age 18, and high school is where young people are when they become old enough to register.

    • About 50% of teens live in states where they can preregister to vote beginning at age 16. 

    • Even in the most age-restrictive states, the vast majority of high school students are old enough to register before they graduate.

  • State and local social studies standards, curricular requirements generally support or require teaching students about voting and how and why to participate in democracy. Voter registration is part of that. 

  • Most states have laws that require or encourage high schools to make voter registration available to students.

  • Many state and local agencies also provide excellent resources and programs. These can include recognition for high schools that achieve high voter registration rates, ideas for how to run a high school voter registration drive, or civic seal programs to recognize students who achieve high levels of civic engagement.

  • The official U.S. Government website, vote.gov, has reliable answers to many questions students face about voter registration and voting. Transitions are available in multiple languages. The website includes information about preparing to vote at age 18 and under.

What all this boils down to is that your high school voter registration efforts have real policy and pedagogical support behind them. When you and your students breathe life into these policies, you can strengthen our democracy and create a lasting tradition at your school. 

The fine print

States impose a variety of regulations on voter registration and voter registration drives. We want you to know the types of regulations to look out for, so you’ll be able to confirm the compliance of your drive. Because laws and policies change over time, we encourage you to check with state or local elections officials about your plans. 

Types of regulations that are most relevant to voter registration and voter registration drives in a high school setting include the following:

Registering to vote

Age

If you are holding a drive during High School Voter Registration Week (Sept. 23-27, 2024), everyone who will be 18 by November 5, 2024 should meet the relevant age requirement to register. In many states, many more high school students will be old enough to preregister.

Deadlines

If you hold your drive during High School Voter Registration Week (Sept. 23-27, 2024), you will be early enough to meet state deadlines in every state that has a deadline. 

Citizenship

You may have noncitizens in your school who cannot register or vote. You can keep your drive inclusive by offering everyone opportunities to participate (for example, by helping with publicity or volunteer recruitment) whether or not they can register themselves. 

Create a climate in which it’s ok for students to decline to register or to take a form home to discuss with their parents.

Most voter registration forms require a sworn statement affirming a registrant’s citizenship and state residency, and do not require documentary proof of either. If your state is an exception, your help in guiding students in how to obtain the necessary documents can be critical to their ability to participate.

Documentation

Many state online voter registration systems are limited to those who already have a state ID or driver’s license. 

Paper forms in most states (and an alternative, federal form that allows at least participation in federal elections) require simply an attestation that the applicant meets citizenship, age, and other requirements to register.  If students have a state ID or driver’s license or social security number the forms generally require including this information. Social security information is usually limited to the last four digits.

Some states, however, require documentary proof of citizenship and/or proof of residency in order to register.  State or local election officials can be a great source of guidance.

With ID requirements on the rise in order to cast a ballot on the polls (separate and apart from registering), we urge everyone who can to obtain a state ID or driver’s license and to update any outdated information.

Regulation of Drives

Regulations of voter registration drives can take a variety of forms. The most comprehensive resources are available through the Movement Advancement Project, Fair Elections Center, and the Brennan Center. 

If you have questions, we encourage you to contact your state or local election official.

Certification, training, prenotification or preapproval 

Most states do not require formal training, certification, or prenotification or pre approval by local offices. Some do have one or more of these requirements. This includes CO, DE, FL, NE, NM, TX, VA. 

In states that have such a requirement, please ensure that you are in compliance with the relevant restrictions. Sometimes that means signing up for training or certification, or handing out specific notices.  Sometimes it might mean tailoring the registration drive -- for example, by distributing forms without collecting them or only encouraging registration online.

Return forms on time

Some states require drive holders to return forms to official agencies within a certain number of days after a drive. 

No matter what state you live in, you will always want to make sure any forms you collect are submitted by any relevant deadline.

If you hold your drive during High School Voter Registration Week (Sept. 23-27) make sure to turn in completed forms promptly after the end of your drive. We encourage you to do it within 3 days so you do not forget.

Return forms to the right election office

In most states, completed forms are returned to the local election official, often the county registrar or town clerk. Make sure you know where to send any forms you have collected.

Partisanship

You must provide forms to everyone without regard to their political party. 

Payment

Do not compensate anyone working on a voter registration drive based on the number of forms they collect. Do not offer anything of value in exchange for registering to vote. This includes offering extra credit or making voter registration a requirement for a class assignment.

Filling out forms for others

You can help explain (or translate) registration forms, but the registrant should fill out and complete their own form.

Extreme restrictions

The states with the most extreme restrictions on third-party assistance in voter registration are New Hampshire, Wyoming, and Florida. New Hampshire requires voter registration to be in person. Wyoming prohibits submission of batches of voter registration forms. Florida imposes large penalties for a range of potential missteps. If you want to hold a drive in these states, check with your local election official and arrange your drive for a day when they can be present to register voters. 

You can use this as an opportunity to raise awareness about how extreme restrictions on voter registration negatively impact youth and the need to revise outdated state laws.