CIRCLE in Action

We're focused on the connections between research and practice: on making sure that our work helps to clarify practical questions for educators, communities, and policymakers and has an impact on more equitable youth opportunity and engagement. We strive to ensure that our research is timely and relevant to a broad range of audiences, and we work with local and national partners on numerous campaigns and initiatives to strengthen various aspects of youth civic education and engagement. We believe collaboration is necessary for substantive change to occur and that research informed by the experiences and knowledge of youth and practitioners is most practical.

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Updates and Announcements

Youth Expertise: 26th Amendment

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the voting age being lowered to 18, we're seeking proposals from youth (ages 14-24) for blog posts or videos in which they can share ideas on making elections accessible and equitable for new voters.

CIRCLE is Hiring a Senior Researcher

We're looking for a Senior Researcher to help us advance our work of promoting greater and more equitable civic education and engagement for all young people. Please check out the description and share with your networks!

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Why America Needs Service

Throughout 2020, our Director Kei Kawashima-Ginsberg served as a member of the Commission on the Practice of Democratic Citizenship. On March 3, she joined a distinguished panel to discuss her work and "Why America Needs Service, Now More than Ever."

Watch the Video

Upcoming Events

Latest Research

What are we working on? Check out the most recent CIRCLE data and analysis on youth participation in civic life.

Half of Youth Voted in 2020, An 11-Point Increase from 2016

Our analysis of youth voter turnout nationwide finds wide variation between states and underscores the importance of electoral laws and policies that help grow voters.

voter turnout

demographics

election laws

Young People Created Media to Uplift their Voices in 2020

Black and Latino youth were especially active in creating and sharing content on social platforms about the 2020 election or issues they care about.

social media

media literacy

State-by-State 2020 Youth Voter Turnout: The Northeast

New Jersey led the region and the nation in youth voter turnout in 2020; six states in the Northeast had turnout rates above 50%.

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In the Media

There should be a vibrant, data-informed public conversation about youth civic education and engagement: what's working, what's not, and why it's important. Our research, which appears frequently in major media outlets, helps to drive that conversation.

Youth Turnout Was Big in 2020. It May Fall in 2022 If Democrats Fail to Protect The Vote.

Washington Monthly

States that mailed ballots to every voter in the pandemic also saw not only higher overall turnout rates, but especially higher youth turnout rates.

Analysis: Youth Voter Turnout Rose Substantially in 2020

Inside Higher Ed

Half of Americans ages 18 to 29 cast a ballot in the 2020 general election, an 11-percentage-point increase from 2016, when 39 percent did, according to a new analysis of youth voter turnout from the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement at Tufts University.

More Young Voters Turned Out In 2020—Will They Vote Again In 2021?

Gothamist

“The earlier that a young person is engaged in civic life in some way, the more likely that they are to engage in the long term,” said Abby Kiesa, deputy director of CIRCLE.

More CIRCLE Research in the News