Eleanor Finch
Voter registration is the number one barrier to voting in the United States. Voter registration should be easy, accessible, and secure so that every citizen can exercise their right to vote. Voter turnout among registered voters is quite high, and increasing the number of registered voters will also increase civic participation. Research suggests that policies like online, automatic, and pre-registration can increase voter participation, especially among the youth. The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 was motivated by the belief that increasing access to registration would increase overall participation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Impact of registering voters on political campaigns | Positive impact: Increases voter turnout, especially among younger voters |
| Negative impact: Could remove eligible voters from the rolls and create barriers to registration | |
| Voter registration methods | Online voter registration (OVR), mail registration, in-person registration |
| Factors influencing voter registration | Access, opportunities, infrastructure, voting laws and policies, individual beliefs, privacy and security concerns |
| Voter registration history | Began in the late 1800s, with expansions in the Progressive Era (1890-1920) |
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What You'll Learn
The impact of restrictive voting laws on youth turnout and registration
Restrictive voting laws can negatively impact youth voter turnout and registration. Research has shown that youth voter participation is influenced by access, opportunities, and infrastructure that encourages voter registration and engagement. Restrictive policies can hinder equitable participation, while facilitative policies can broaden the electorate and expand access to the ballot.
One example of a restrictive voting law is the proposed SAVE Act, which would create new barriers to voter registration, making it harder for Americans to participate in the democratic process. The Act would require additional documentation that many people, especially young people, may not have easy access to. It would also disrupt online registration systems, threatening a method that millions of Americans rely on to register to vote.
Another example of restrictive voting laws is the recent enactment of 30 separate laws in 18 states that are expected to make voting more difficult. These laws include vote-by-mail restrictions, restrictions on early voting, and broader authority for purges of voter rolls. Such laws disproportionately affect people of color and low-income individuals, who already face inequities in the voting process.
On the other hand, facilitative voting laws can increase youth voter turnout and registration. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many states implemented vote-by-mail policies, which increased youth electoral participation. States that automatically mailed ballots to voters had the highest youth voter turnout at 57%, while states with restrictive vote-by-mail policies averaged a lower youth turnout of 42%.
Additionally, online voter registration (OVR) has been shown to increase youth voter turnout, especially when standardized and easily accessible. Same-day registration policies have also been found to disproportionately increase the turnout of young people, as they address the challenge of frequent address updates for this mobile demographic.
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The effect of online voter registration on youth participation
Registering voters can have a positive effect on a political campaign, and this is especially true when it comes to youth participation. In recent years, research has tracked youth registration and voting over multiple cycles, and the evidence for the effect of various policies on youth voting has grown.
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the closure of many popular in-person locations for voter registration, such as college campuses and community events. Online voter registration OVR was seen as the natural solution to engage a young and digitally-savvy electorate. Research suggests that OVR increases voter turnout, especially among younger voters. In 2020, despite the pandemic, youth voter registration exceeded 2016 levels in most states. As of 2022, 40 states and Washington, D.C., allow OVR, but a 2020 pre-election poll found that 34% of young people (ages 18-29) were unsure if their state offered it. This suggests that there is untapped potential to broaden the use of OVR, and that standardizing its implementation across states could further increase its impact on youth voter turnout.
Same-day registration policies, which allow eligible voters to register and cast a ballot simultaneously, have also been found to increase youth electoral participation. Young people often need to update their registration each time they move, and same-day registration removes the risk of missing the registration deadline. In addition, vote-by-mail policies have been found to increase youth electoral participation. States that automatically mailed ballots to voters had the highest youth voter turnout (57%) in 2020, while states with the most restrictive vote-by-mail policies averaged much lower youth turnout (42%).
Overall, youth voter participation is a matter of access, opportunities, and infrastructure conducive to voter registration and electoral engagement. Restrictive policies can hinder broader and more equitable participation, while more facilitative laws and policies can broaden the electorate, close inequities between various groups, and expand access to the ballot.
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The history of voter registration laws in the US
By the time of World War I, most states had voter registration laws in place, but these were often exploited to control whose names got on the voter rolls. For instance, registration drives during the post-Civil War era were typically carried out door-to-door, making it easy to avoid registering poor citizens and others deemed undesirable by corrupt political parties. The systems were also riddled with fraud, allowing fake registrations.
In the decades following the creation of the Massachusetts system, voter registration laws were mostly stalled in legislation across the states. However, mass efforts in the north after 1860 made registries seem necessary, and when the systems were eventually developed, they were largely confined to large cities. An 1836 voter registration law in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for example, ended up limiting voters.
The 14th Amendment, passed in 1920, allowed states to decide which crimes would result in the loss of voting rights, and this has been used to disenfranchise large segments of the population, particularly black Americans. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was enacted to address legal barriers that prevented black Americans from voting. It also required states with a history of suppressing voting rights based on race to obtain approval from the US Justice Department before changing their election laws.
In the 1990s, the federal government made efforts to increase voter turnout by simplifying the registration process. The National Voter Registration Act of 1993, also known as the "Motor Voter" law, mandated that states provide uniform opt-in registration services through various channels, including drivers' license registration centres, disability centres, schools, libraries, and mail-in registration. This law has been credited for enabling over 30 million people to complete their voter registration applications or updates in its first year of implementation.
In recent years, there has been a push for more inclusive and accessible elections, with a focus on expanding access for young voters. Online voter registration (OVR), for instance, has been instrumental in engaging young voters, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when many in-person registration locations were closed. Same-day registration policies have also been shown to increase overall voter turnout, particularly among young voters.
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The impact of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993
The National Voter Registration Act of 1993, also known as the Motor Voter Act, was signed into law by President Bill Clinton on May 20, 1993, and came into effect on January 1, 1995. The Act was enacted to advance voting rights in the United States by simplifying the voter registration process. This was particularly targeted at those applying for or renewing a driver's license or applying for public assistance.
The impact of the Act was significant, with a notable increase in the number of registered voters. In 1996, there were 142,995,856 registered voters nationwide, amounting to 72.77% of the voting-age population. This was the highest percentage of voter registration since records began in 1960. The Act also contributed to a more streamlined and efficient registration process, with mail registration proving particularly popular and successful. 25 of the 43 states that responded to a survey had already implemented mail registration before the Act, and it now accounts for nearly a third of all voter registration applications.
The Act also had a positive impact on voter registration drives, with private entities engaging in organized voter registration activity, as demonstrated in the Nu Mu Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity case in DeKalb County, Georgia, in 2004. The case upheld the right of private entities to engage in voter registration drives under federal law.
Furthermore, the Act has helped to ensure that state agencies providing public assistance, including those administering federal assistance programs such as food stamps and Medicaid, actively assist their applicants and clients in registering to vote. This has likely contributed to broader and more equitable participation in elections, particularly among those who may have previously faced barriers to registration.
Overall, the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 has had a significant positive impact on voter registration in the United States, increasing access, simplifying processes, and contributing to higher registration numbers.
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The role of voter registration drives in political campaigns
Voter registration drives are a crucial aspect of political campaigns, aiming to increase participation and engage citizens in the democratic process. They are often conducted by political campaigns, nonprofits, religious organizations, and other groups, particularly when the voting system requires individuals to register before casting their ballots.
The history of voter registration in the United States reveals a complex past, with efforts to control the voting power of certain groups, such as city dwellers, immigrants, and African Americans. Despite these past challenges, the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA) has played a significant role in expanding access to voter registration. The NVRA's mail registration provisions and motor voter registration programs have been particularly effective in increasing registration applications.
However, challenges to voter registration still exist, and certain bills, such as the proposed Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, threaten to create additional barriers. The SAVE Act would impose stricter documentation requirements, making it more difficult for eligible citizens to register, especially those from marginalized communities.
To address these challenges and encourage voter registration, political campaigns can play a vital role by organizing and supporting registration drives. These drives can target specific demographics, such as young people, who often face barriers due to registration deadlines, lack of information, and mobility issues. Online voter registration (OVR) has been shown to increase youth turnout, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when in-person registration locations were limited. Standardizing and simplifying OVR processes can further enhance their impact.
Additionally, same-day registration policies, which allow eligible voters to register and vote simultaneously, can be promoted during drives to encourage broader participation. By leveraging technology, partnering with community organizations, and providing educational resources, political campaigns can effectively reach and engage potential voters through registration drives, ultimately contributing to a more inclusive and representative democracy.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, registering more voters can positively affect a political campaign. A larger number of registered voters means a campaign can target a wider audience and potentially gain more votes. Additionally, registering voters can help to engage citizens in the political process, increasing the likelihood of voter turnout and participation.
Registering voters can provide valuable data and insights for a political campaign. By collecting information during the registration process, campaigns can identify potential supporters, target specific demographics, and tailor their messaging to appeal to registered voters.
There are several effective strategies for registering voters. These include utilizing online voter registration (OVR), which has been shown to increase turnout, especially among younger voters; holding voter registration drives in partnership with community organizations; and conducting outreach at motor vehicle agencies, as required under the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). Standardizing and simplifying the registration process across states can also help increase registration rates.
