Expanding the Youth Electorate through Preregistration

It is an important rite of passage as a young adult in America: taking one'splace in the democratic process by registering to vote and casting a ballot.Unfortunately, too many young citizens do not take advantage of thisopportunity.Research shows that preregistration policies targeting 16- and 17-year-oldcitizens not only help to increase civic participation among young people,but also enfranchise a broader range of America's youth, particularly thosefrom historically underrepresented populations. Empowering this untappedpool of future voters can help reduce historical disparities in the electoratefor future generations with just a simple, inexpensive adjustment in theadministration of elections.This legislative brief discusses the underrepresentation of youth -- particularlyyouth of color -- in the general electorate, and how the growing trend ofpreregistration helps to address this problem. It concludes with recommendationsfor implementing preregistration policies