In recent elections, young people's participation in this perennially competitive state has been strong, and could be decisive in 2022 if youth are supported.
The Wisconsin governor's race is #1 in our Youth Electoral Significance Index ranking of elections where youth can have a decisive impact.
Young people of color are critical in this electoral battleground, but new voting laws pose challenges to equitable participation.
Young voters in Arizona can have a big impact in the 2022 midterms, but barriers to voting create challenges that campaigns and organizations must address.
CIRCLE’s Youth Electoral Significance Index rankings highlight that young voters can decide congressional elections all across the country.
Research suggests that policies like online, automatic, and pre-registration can increase youth voter participation, especially where there is effective and equitable implementation.
We estimate that 20% of youth voted in New Jersey and 27% in Virginia, in both cases comparable to participation in previous gubernatorial elections.
CIRCLE’s updated, exclusive data-based rankings of the races where youth can influence results seek to expand conversations about young people’s role in elections.
Youth voter turnout was lower than in 2017 and highlights the need for continued efforts to reach and engage all young people.
Both states had above average youth turnout in 2018 and 2020, but outreach to young people—especially youth of color—remains key for November.