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Youth Voting
Headline The percentage of youth ages 18 to 24 who reported voting and registering to vote was higher in the 2004 presidential election year than in 1996 or 2000 (42 percent reported voting in 2004, compared with 32 percent in both 1996 and 2000). (See Figure 2) Active civic participation is important for the future of a nation and a healthy democracy.1 In 1971, 18- to 20- year olds gained the right to vote, and 50 percent of young adults ages 18 to 24 voted in the 1972 presidential election.2 Since then, however, voting among young adults has dropped significantly, causing concern among lawmakers and other policy makers.3 Studies examining the reasons for this decline in voting find that many youth feel uninformed about politics and the electoral process.4 A study conducted by the National Assessment of Educational Progress found that one third of high school seniors lack a basic understanding of how the American government operates.5 The New Millennium Report issued by the National Association of Secretaries of State also found that youth believe that government and elections are not relevant to things about which they care.6 It has been suggested that this belief may explain why many prefer to engage in community service, which is actually on the rise among youth.7,8 The percentage of youth ages 18 to 24 who reported voting and registering to vote was higher in the 2004 presidential election year than in 1996 or 2000 (42 percent reported voting in 2004, compared with 32 percent in both 1996 and 2000). However, the percentage remained lower than when 18- to 20- year olds first gained the right to vote in 1972. Fifty-nine percent of youth had registered to vote in 1972, while only 52 percent registered to vote in 2004. In 1972, 50 percent of youth actually voted, compared with 42 percent in 2004. (See Figure 2) Differences by Type of Election Substantially fewer youth vote in nonpresidential election years, compared with presidential election years. Seventeen percent of youth voted in the 2002, nonpresidential election years, whereas 42 percent voted in the 2004 presidential election year. (See Figure 3)
Differences by Gender Females are slightly more likely than males to report both registering to vote and actually voting. In the 2004 election, 55 percent of females ages 18 to 24 reported registering to vote, compared with 48 percent of males the same age. Similarly, 45 percent of females reported actually voting, compared with 39 percent of males. (See Table 1)Differences by Race/Ethnicity Hispanic youth are the least likely to report registering to vote and actually voting in both presidential and nonpresidential election years. In 2004, 44 percent of black youth and 43 of white youth reported voting, compared with 20 percent of Hispanic youth. (See Figure 1)Note: Estimates for 2004 by race have been revised to reflect the new OMB race definitions, and include only those who are identified with a single race, however, Hispanics may be of any race. 2004 state estimates for young adults ages 18 to 24 are available from the U.S. Census Bureau at: http://www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/voting/cps2004.html (See Table 4b)
State estimates for 1998 and 2000, as well as comparisons with youth voter turnout in 1972 and 1978, are available from the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement at: International Estimates
While no voting estimates are available, international data on civic behavior (including political knowledge, attitudes and activities) among youth in 27 countries and the U.S. were collected in 1999 as part of the International I.E.A. Civic Education Study. Additionally, data on the percentage of 14-year olds who expect to vote from various countries are available at http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2003/2003026.pdf (Figure 18). None What Works: Programs and Interventions that May Influence this Indicator Click here to view examples of programs and interventions that research has evaluated for this indicator. View programs
1Gibson, Cynthia. 2001. From inspiration to participation: A review on perspectives of youth civic engagement. The Grantmaker Forum on Community and National Service and Carnegie Corporation. 2Fetto, John. 1999. Down for the count: Voting rates for young adults. American Demographics, 21,11:46-7.
3Horwitt, Sanford. 1999. The NASS New Millennium Survey: American youth attitudes on politics, citizenship, government and voting. Washington, D.C.: The National Association of Secretaries of State.
4Hinds, Michael DeCourcy. 2001. Youth Vote 2000: They'd Rather Volunteer. Carnegie Reporter: Volume 1, Number 2. Carnegie Corporation of New York. http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard//pdf/main1998/2000460.pdf. 6Horwitt, 1999. 7Gibson, 2001. 8Zaff, Jonathan F. and Erik Michelsen. Encouraging civic engagement: How teens are (or are not) becoming responsible citizens. American Teens. Child Trends. 2003. http://www.childtrends.org/files/K6Brief.pdf. For 2004, eligible voters were asked if they voted and/or registered to vote in the election held on Tuesday, November 2 (2004). Except where otherwise noted, estimates include all young adults (including non-citizens) in the denominator. Data Sources Data for 2004: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division, Education & Social Stratification Branch. "Voting and Registration in the Election of November 2004." Table 2. http://www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/voting/cps2004.html Data for 2002: Original Child Trends' analyses of November 2002 Current Population Survey data.
All other data: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation. Trends in the well-being of America's children and youth, 2002. Tables SD 1.4.A and 1.4.B. Raw Data Source November Current Population Survey Approximate Date of Next Update Winter 2006
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