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"I think that there are definitely promising signs, especially in such a competitive atmosphere, that young people will show up and make their voice heard at the ballot box," said Peter de Guzman, an associate researcher at CIRCLE.

According to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement at Tufts University, both Michigan and Arizona have more registered youth now than they did in 2018.

Young people were often dismissed as "unlikely voters," says Alberto Medina, spokesman for Tufts University's Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement. But "this is a generation that has really arrived, in terms of their political power and participation.

A September analysis from the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement found that voter registration among 18- and 19-year-olds is down compared with November 2018.

CIRCLE estimates that young people, ages 18-29, had historically high voter turnout in 2018 and 2020, and they could have a major impact on the upcoming midterm election results.

"Because young Georgians prefer Democratic candidates by so much, they end up -- if they turn out in big numbers -- really impacting the election," CIRCLE's Ruby Belle Booth told AFP.

“We have to engage young people as stakeholders and leaders in democracy. And that’s going to look totally different for different types of youth," said CIRCLE's Alberto Medina

“Voting is habit forming,” added Dr. Kelly Siegel-Stechler, a senior researcher who works on youth voting with CIRCLE. “Once you vote once, it becomes much easier to vote for the rest of your life.”

The Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement identified the House, Senate and governor’s races where youth voters can have the most impact