Youth Voter Registration Gaps Highlight State-Level Policy Impact

Event summary

  • 40% of 18-year-olds registered to vote in 30 states vs. 80% for ages 45+
  • States with pre-registration (ages 16–17) show 60+ percentage point higher youth registration rates
  • Top-performing states: Oregon, Michigan, Colorado; lowest: Pennsylvania, Alabama, Ohio
  • The Civics Center expands data resource to 30 states with More Perfect’s support

The big picture

The data underscores how state-level policies—particularly pre-registration laws—directly impact youth voter participation. With midterm elections approaching, this analysis highlights a structural gap where political will could drive significant democratic engagement shifts. The Civics Center and More Perfect’s collaboration demonstrates growing institutional focus on systemic barriers to voting access.

What we're watching

Policy Adoption Pace
Whether states with low youth registration rates will adopt pre-registration policies following evidence of success in Oregon and Michigan.
Organizational Scaling
The pace at which The Civics Center expands its data-driven voter registration efforts beyond the current 30 states.
Midterm Election Impact
How increased youth registration in key states may influence turnout and outcomes in the 2026 midterms.