Close Menu

State Policies and Statutes that Support Growing Voters

Our updated scan of state codes that encourage or facilitate electoral engagement and education for youth before they turn 18

Note: Updated with policies in place as of mid-2021.

Youth civic participation in elections and beyond depends on information, access, and sustained investment in opportunities for young people to engage in democracy. CIRCLE’s Growing Voters framework describes how multiple stakeholders can help youth be prepared, ready, and excited to vote long before they turn 18. Schools play a key role in Growing Voters and in addressing the inequities in resources and opportunities that turn into inequities in participation, especially in reaching diverse young people who may not be primed for political involvement otherwise.

One way that states can support Growing Voters is through the implementation of existing policies and legal statutes that explicitly address voter registration and voter education activities in schools or electoral engagement opportunities for young people before they turn 18. We’ve undertaken a comprehensive analysis of this complex landscape, which we share here, in order to better understand how different states are or can approach this work. We should note that this is not intended as a real-time resource for tracking state codes (which change with some frequency) but rather a point-in-time snapshot from May 2021 for understanding the range and breadth of activities codified into state law that schools and communities can employ to grow voters.

CIRCLE Growing Voters

Released in 2022, the CIRCLE Growing Voters report introduces a new framework to transform how communities and institutions prepare youth for democracy. It includes major recommendations for organizations across sectors to do this work more equitably and effectively.

Nationwide Trends

Our policy and statute scan reveals that there is a wide range of approaches to legislation about youth voter registration and education across all states. (Note: for simplicity, when we mention “states” below, we include Washington, D.C.) 

  • The most common youth electoral engagement in state codes are: youth under 18 can serve as poll workers (44 states), voter registration forms should be accessible in schools (22 states), and youth can pre-register to vote as 16- and 17-year olds (24 states).
  • There is wide variance in the number of registration/education initiatives mentioned in statutes/codes across states, ranging from none (in South Dakota) to seven (in California, Colorado, and Georgia).
    • Nearly one-quarter of states’ codes (25%) include either none or just one opportunity for under-18 electoral engagement; around a third of states (34%) reference five or more opportunities.
    • The 12 states offering the most robust opportunities for voter registration, education, and engagement of high school-aged youth span the political and geographic spectrum: AK, CA, CO, DC, GA, IL, IA, KY, MA, ME, MS, MO, NJ, NC, TN, TX, UT.
  • States have different approaches to their legal codes, and the number of discrete policies or statutes on the books doesn’t necessarily align with the breadth of activities allowed. Some states have multiple statutes spread across their legal and administrative codes which elaborate on the implementation of one activity (e.g., youth serving as poll workers); others mention several optional activities within one statute or clause (e.g., mock elections or debates, educational workshops, and voter registration drives). 

Unique States, Unique Statutes

While states’ policies and statutes largely focus on a similar range of activities, the specific language used often differs greatly and has significant implications on the implementation of the statutes. The most commonly described activity—allowing young people to serve as poll workers on election day—highlights some of these differences. State codes outline different approaches to which under-18 youth can serve; in some cases, teens as young as 14 can be appointed, in others, just 17-year-olds.  Different states use different titles for these young poll workers (“election official,” “assistant,” “intern,” “trainee,” “member of election board,” “youth ambassador,” and “page”), mandate different prerequisites (from none listed, to GPA parameters, to voter registration status, to parental consent, to training attendance, to signing an oath).

Depending on how they are written, policy and statute language can also impact how much discretion local stakeholders have in how they implement the state code. For instance, Minnesota Civic Youth, a nonprofit in Minneapolis, fielded a survey of 108 towns and counties in Minnesota which highlighted different ways local communities recruited, trained, paid, and worked with young election judges. A vast majority of the survey respondents were very happy with the quality of work student election judges produced.

There are differences in the content of policies and statutes as well as their language. Some state codes include relatively unique electoral education and engagement activities. For example, each of these efforts or policies is only mentioned in several states’ statutes:

  • In-school candidate forums or debates (AK, CA, MA)
  • Student visits to/observations of polling sites (NY, TN)
  • Excused absences for student voters (GA, IL, DC)
  • Annual election-themed essay contests (KY)
  • In-school get-out-the-vote activities (AK)

While we can’t speak to the specific efficacy of these programs, these ideas might provide inspiration for other communities to test out or to prompt their own creative thinking on education and engagement strategies.

Collective Responsibility

We typically place responsibility for what happens within schools on teachers and school leaders. Our analysis, however, underscores the vast web of stakeholders who each play a role in the civic engagement and education opportunities afforded to young people: from secretaries of state, to local election boards, to district leaders, to private funders. Most policies and statutes we identified suggest behaviors that these individuals may engage in, rather than outline activities that they shall do, so it’s important to understand each group’s potential role and authority in order to help spur action in your community. 

One of the stakeholder groups most frequently referenced in these state codes are local election clerks and/or the chairs of local election boards. At times the codes acknowledge their responsibility for disseminating voter registration forms to schools or for appointing and training deputy registrars on campuses. In other states, they’re given the opportunity to facilitate voter registration workshops, offer use of county voting equipment or sample ballots to schools, or appoint young people as poll workers within their precincts. They’re also the experts on local election policies, whose partnership and resources could prove immensely useful for school or district leaders unable or unwilling to single-handedly take on organizing election-related activities in their institutions.

Several states also promote the possibility of student leadership in voter registration efforts. With training in registration procedures and non-partisan voter outreach, students themselves could play an energizing and active role in supporting schools’ voter registration or education activities. 

A Call to Action

These policies and statutes don’t paint a full picture of all the work being done in schools and communities to prepare young people for electoral engagement. In addition, for this analysis we did not examine social studies standards that may incorporate teaching about elections and voting. However, we believe this is a useful starting point for conversations about what’s allowed, what’s required, what’s not, and where we can go from here. As we learn from these policies and statutes and look beyond them to what’s happening in our own communities, we need to give weight to the power of both policymaking and policy implementation—each has a discernible impact on what happens on the ground in our communities, and each is an iterative process—and to consider how we may play a part in advancing their effectiveness and impact.

Teachers and school administrators, especially, have an opportunity to connect these statutes with work already underway at their institutions. The Teaching for Democracy Alliance, a 13-member coalition coordinated by CIRCLE and dedicated to supporting K-12 students in learning about elections and voting, offers a wealth of lesson plans, resources, research, and professional development opportunities for interested educators. Those of us outside the classroom might consider how we can learn more about and leverage great non-partisan work already happening locally as we marshal resources, build partnerships, or engage in advocacy to ensure that a Growing Voters approach is written into state policies and statutes and, more importantly, taking root in our communities and our schools.


 

Read States' Policies and Statutes

Curious what these policies and statutes look like? Read the relevant legislative language from your state or from elsewhere around the country. Note: We have no information for South Dakota, for which our scan found no relevant policies. 

Alabama

Citation: Act No. 2019-476 

Effective: 2019 

Judges are authorized to appoint up to two high school or college students to work as unpaid student interns at each polling place in the county on election day.  

Act No. 2019-476 Section 1. (a) The judge of probate in each county may appoint not more than two students for each precinct to serve as unpaid student interns during elections. To be appointed a student intern, a student must meet all of the following qualifications: (1) Be recommended by a principal or other school official, or by the individual responsible for the student's home instruction program. (2) Be at least 16 years of age at the time of the election for which the appointment is made. (3) Be a resident of the county or municipality for which the appointment is made. (4) Be enrolled in a public high school, an accredited private high school or a home instruction program and be classified as a junior or senior or the equivalent, or be enrolled in a two-year or four—year institution of higher education. (b) The duties of the student interns appointed pursuant to this section shall be determined by the officials in charge of the election in the county or municipality; provided, however, the duties may not include either of the following: (1) Determining the qualifications of a voter in the event a voter is challenged. (2) The operation and maintenance of any voting equipment. (c) Student interns shall at all times be under the supervision of the poll managers of the election while performing their duties at precincts. (d) Before performing any duties, student interns shall attend all required training for poll workers of the county or municipality and any additional training considered necessary by the officials in charge of the election in the county or municipality. (e) A student intern who works four or more hours in a day during school hours on the day of an election or any day of training shall be entitled to an excused absence from school for purpose of Chapter 28 of Title 16, Code of Alabama 1975.

Alaska

Citation: AS 15.07.040 

Effective: 2000 

A person who is otherwise qualified may register to vote at any time within 90 days immediately preceding the person’s 18th birthday.  

AS 15.07.040 Time for registration. A person who is qualified under AS 15.05.010(1) — (3) is entitled to register at any time throughout the year except that a person under 18 years of age may register at any time within 90 days immediately preceding the person’s 18th birthday. 

Citation: AS 15.10.108, 15.10.120 

Effective: 2004 

Establishes a youth vote ambassador program which provides volunteer education and outreach on state elections under the supervision of the director of elections. 

AS 15.10.108 (a) The youth vote ambassador program is established in the division of elections. (b) In order to serve as a member of the youth vote ambassador program, an individual must (1) be a student age 16 or older (A) enrolled in a public or private high school program in this state; or (B) being educated in the student’s home by a parent or legal guardian in this state under AS 14.30.010 (b)(12); (2) volunteer to serve in the youth vote ambassador program and be appointed to the youth vote ambassador program by the director of elections; and (3) if appointed, agree to complete a program of training as determined by the director of elections. (c) An election supervisor may appoint a member of the youth vote ambassador program to serve on a precinct election board appointed under  

AS 15.10.120. A program member who is appointed to serve on an election board under this subsection serves under the supervision of the chairperson for that board. (d) A member of the program who is appointed under (c) of this section is compensated as provided in AS 15.15.30 only for service on the election board of the precinct. (e) A member of the program may provide unpaid volunteer services related to education and outreach on state elections as directed by, and under the supervision of, the director of elections. (f) In this section, “program” means the youth vote ambassador program. 

Citation: AS 15.13.150 

Effective: 2012  

Alaska’s election chapter allows individuals to engage in educational election-related activities for the purpose of educating students about voting and elections.  

AS 15.13.150 This chapter does not prohibit a person from engaging in educational election-related communications and activities, including (1) the publication of the date and location of an election; (2) the education of students about voting and elections; (3) the sponsorship of candidate debate forums open to the public; (4) participation in get-out-the-vote or voter registration drives that do not favor a particular candidate, political party, or political position. (5) the dissemination of the views of all candidates running for a particular office. 

Arizona

Citation: Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 16-531 

Effective: 2003 

A student who is at least 16 years of age may serve on the election board.  

Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 16-531 (F) Notwithstanding any other law, the board of supervisors may appoint to an election board to serve as a clerk of election a person who is not eligible to vote if all of the following conditions are met: 1. The person is a minor who will be at least sixteen years of age at the time of the election for which the person is named to the election board. 2. The person is a citizen of the United States at the time of the election for which the person is named to the election board. 3. The person is supervised by an adult who has been trained as an elections officer. 4. The person has received training provided by the officer in charge of elections. 5. The parent or guardian of the person has provided written permission for the person to serve. (G) A school district or charter school shall not be required to reduce its average daily membership, as defined in section 15-901, for any pupil who is absent from one or more instructional programs as a result of the pupil’s service on an election board pursuant to subsection F of this section. (H) A school district or charter school shall not count any pupil’s absence from one or more instructional programs as a result of the pupil’s service on an election board pursuant to subsection F of this section against any mandatory attendance requirements for the pupil. (I) Nothing in this section shall prevent the board of supervisors or governing body from refusing for cause to reappoint, or from removing for cause, an election board member.

Arkansas

Citation: Ark. Code Ann. § 7-4-116 

Effective: 2003 

County board or election commissioners may select high school students to serve as election officials and election pages to stimulate student interest in registering to vote and provide assistance to the officers of the election. 

Ark. Code Ann. § 7-4-116 (a) (1) The county board of election commissioners may conduct a special election day program for high school students in one (1) or more polling places designated by the county board. (2) The high school students shall be selected by the county board in cooperation with the local high school principal, the local 4-H club, the local Boy Scouts of America club, the local Girl Scouts club, or any other local organization for youth designated by the county board. (3) (A) A high school student selected for this program who has not reached his or her eighteenth birthday by the election day in which he or she is participating shall be called an election page. (B) A high school student selected for this program who has reached his or her eighteenth birthday by the election day in which he or she is participating and meets the qualifications in § 7-4-109 may be an election official. (b) The program shall: (1) Be designed to stimulate the students' interest in elections and registering to vote; (2) Provide assistance to the officers of election; and (3) Assist in the safe entry and exit of elderly voters and voters with disabilities from the polling place. (c) (1) Each student selected as an election page shall: (A) Be Granted an additional excused absence from school while working as election page; (B) Serve under the direct supervision of the election officials at his or her assigned polling place; and (C) Observe strict impartiality at all times. (2) An election page may observe the electoral process and seek information from the election officers but shall not handle or touch ballots, voting machines, or any other election materials or enter any voting booth. (3) An election page shall be in a volunteer position and shall not receive any compensation for performing his or her duties. (4) Before beginning any duties, an election page shall take, before an election official, the following oath… (d) (1) Each student selected to be an election official shall: (A) Take the oath of the election officials in § 7-4-110; (B) Serve under the supervision of the appropriate county board of election commissioners; (C) Observe strict impartiality at all times; and (D) Be granted an additional excused absence from school while working as an election official. (2) A high school student selected to be an election official may be compensated according to § 7-4-112 if the county board of election commissioners determines that the high school students selected to be election officials should be compensated. 

California

Citation: Cal. Elec. Code § 2101, § 2102 

Effective 2015 

A person who is at least 16 years of age may pre-register to vote, and his or her registration will be deemed effective when the individual turns 18.  

Cal. Elec. Code § 2101 (b) A person entitled to preregister to vote in an election shall be a United States citizen, a resident of California, not imprisoned or on parole for the conviction of a felony, and at least 16 years of age.  

Cal. Elec. Code § 2102 (d) A person who is at least 16 years of age and otherwise meets all eligibility requirements to vote may submit his or her affidavit of registration as prescribed by this section.  A properly executed affidavit of registration made pursuant to this subdivision shall be deemed effective as of the date the affiant will be 18 years of age, if the information in the affidavit of registration is still current at that time. If the information provided by the affiant in the affidavit of registration is not current at the time that the affidavit of registration would otherwise become effective, for his or her registration to become effective, the affiant shall provide the current information to the proper county elections official as prescribed by this chapter. 

Citation: Cal. Elec. Code § 2146 

Effective: 2004 

The Secretary of State shall provide high schools with voter registration forms and instructions.   

Cal. Elec. Code § 2146 (a) The Secretary of State shall annually provide every high school, community college, and California State University and University of California campus with voter registration forms. The Secretary of State shall provide additional forms to a school, free of charge, if so requested by a school. (b) The Secretary of State shall provide a written notice with each registration form describing eligibility requirements and informing each student that he or she may return the completed form in person or by mail to the elections official of the county in which the student resides or to the Secretary of State… (d) The Secretary of State shall submit to the Legislature, on or before January 1 of each year, a report on its student voter registration efforts pursuant to this article. This report shall include estimates as to how many voter registration forms were sent to high schools, community colleges, and California State University and University of California campuses; how many voter registration forms were submitted; and how many electronic affidavits of voter registration were submitted by students pursuant to subdivision (c). (e) It is the intent of the Legislature that every eligible high school and college student receive a meaningful opportunity to apply to register to vote. It is also the intent of the Legislature that every school do all in its power to ensure that students are provided the opportunity and means to apply to register to vote. This may include providing voter registration forms at the start of the school year, including voter registration forms with orientation materials; placing voter registration forms at central locations, including voter registration forms with graduation materials; or providing hyperlinks to, and the Internet Web site address of, the Secretary of State’s electronic voter registration system in notices sent by electronic mail to students and placed on the Internet Web site of the high school, college, or university. 

Citation: Cal. Elec. Code § 2148 

Effective: 2008 

Education institutions must designate a contact person to facilitate the distribution of voter registration cards from the Secretary of State. 

Cal. Elec. Code § 2148 (a) Every high school, community college, and California State University campus shall designate a contact person and provide his or her address, telephone number, and e-mail address, when possible, to the Secretary of State for the Secretary of State to contact in order to facilitate the distribution of voter registration cards, as provided under this article.  

Citation: Cal. Elec. Code § 12302 

Effective: 2006 

Students of age 16 or older can serve as a poll workers if they are a high school senior in good standing.  

Cal. Elec. Code § 12302 (b) (1) In order to provide for a greater awareness of the elections process, the rights and responsibilities of voters, and the importance of participating in the electoral process, as well as to provide additional members of precinct boards, an elections official may appoint not more than five pupils per precinct to serve under the direct supervision of precinct board members designated by the elections official. A pupil may be appointed, notwithstanding his or her lack of eligibility to vote, subject to the approval of the governing board of the educational institution in which the pupil is enrolled, if the pupil possesses the following qualifications: (A) Is at least 16 years of age at the time of the election for which he or she is serving as a member of a precinct board. (B) Is a United States citizen, will be a citizen at the time of the election for which he or she is serving as a member of a precinct board, or is lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States, as defined in Section 101(a)(20) of the federal Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. Sec. 1101(a)(20)). (C) Is a pupil in good standing attending a public or private secondary educational institution. (D) Is a pupil who has a grade point average of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. (2) A pupil appointed pursuant to this subdivision may not be used by a precinct board to tally votes.  

Citation: Cal. Educ. Code § 49040  

Effective: 1977 

“High school voter education weeks” are to be held in April and September. 

Cal. Educ. Code § 49040 (a) The last two full weeks in April and the last two full weeks in September shall be known as “high school voter education weeks,” during which time persons authorized by the county elections official shall be allowed to register students and school personnel on any high school campus in areas designated by the administrator of the high school, or his or her designee, which are reasonably accessible to all students. (b) This section does not preclude a person from registering to vote students and school personnel on a high school campus as is otherwise permitted by the Elections Code. 

Citation: Cal. Educ. Code § 49041 

Effective: 2015 

High school administrators may designate students as voter outreach coordinators to encourage voter registration through a range of activities. 

Cal. Educ. Code § 49041 (a) The administrator of a high school, or his or her designee, may appoint one or more pupils who are enrolled at that high school to be voter outreach coordinators. (b) A voter outreach coordinator may coordinate voter registration activities on his or her high school campus that encourage persons who are eligible to register to vote pursuant to Section 2101 of the Elections Code, or other persons who may submit an affidavit of registration pursuant to Section 2102 of the Elections Code, to apply to register to vote by submitting an affidavit of registration on paper or electronically on the Internet Web site of the Secretary of State. (c) A voter outreach coordinator may, with the approval of the administrator of the high school, or his or her designee, coordinate election-related activities on his or her high school campus, including voter registration drives, mock elections, debates, and other election-related pupil outreach activities. 

Colorado

Citation: Colo. Rev. Stat. 1-2-101 

Effective: 2013 

A person who is at least 16 year of age or older may pre-register, and the person is automatically registered once they turn 18. A person who is 17 and will be 18 by the date of the next general election is entitled to vote in the primary election.

Colo. Rev. Stat. 1-2-101 (2)(a)(I) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, upon satisfactory proof of age, every person who is otherwise qualified to register and is sixteen years of age or older but will not have reached eighteen years of age by the date of the next election may preregister and update his or her preregistered information by any means authorized in this article for persons eighteen years of age or older. Upon reaching eighteen years of age, the person is automatically registered. (b) The registration requirements of section 1-2-201 apply to a person preregistering to vote under this subsection (2). (c) A person preregistered under this subsection (2) who is seventeen years of age on the date of a primary election or presidential primary election and who will be eighteen years of age on the date of the next general election is entitled to vote in the primary election or presidential primary election. 

Citation: Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-2-401, § 1-2-402, § 1-2-403 

Effective: 1992 

In order to promote and encourage voter registration of all eligible electors in the state, public high school principals may designate or serve as a deputy registrar who may register students, school employees, or any person eligible to vote, but only when the school is open for classes or community functions. The county clerk and recorder shall train the high school deputy registrars and provide them with sufficient registration materials.   

Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-2-401 It is the intent of the general assembly that, in order to promote and encourage voter registration of all eligible electors in the state, registration should be made as convenient as possible. It is determined by the general assembly that if voter registration is convenient, the number of registered voters will increase. It is further determined by the general assembly that support and cooperation of school officials and interested citizens will make high school registration successful. It is therefore the purpose of this part 4 to encourage voter registration by providing convenient registration procedures for qualified high school students, employees, and other persons by using high school deputy registrars. 

Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-2-402 (1) Each principal of a public high school, or the principal’s designee who is a registered voter in the county, may serve as a deputy registrar. The principal of each high school shall notify the county clerk and recorder of the county in which the high school is located of the name of the school’s deputy registrar, and the county clerk and recorder shall maintain a list of the names of all of the high school deputy registrars in that county in a public file. (2) The high school deputy registrar may register any student, employee of the school, other person who attends school functions, or any other person who is eligible to register to vote. Voter registration may be made available only when the school is open for classes or any other school or community function. The high school deputy registrar shall take registrations only on school district premises. (3) A high school deputy registrar may have available an official application form for voter registration for each student who is eighteen years of age or who will be eighteen years of age at the time of the next election. 

Colo. Rev. Stat. 1-2-403 (1) The county clerk and recorder shall train and supervise the high school deputy registrars, and, after training is completed, shall administer the oath of office to the high school deputy registrars. (2) The county clerk and recorder shall issue sufficient registration materials to each high school deputy registrar for the registration of all eligible students, employees, and other persons at the high school which the high school deputy registrar serves. The high school deputy registrar shall give a receipt to the county clerk and recorder for all materials issued. (3) (a) The high school deputy registrar shall stamp the application for registration with a validation stamp and provide the applicant with a receipt verifying the registration application. (b) (I) Except as provided in subparagraph (II) of this paragraph (b), the high school deputy registrar shall forward applications and changes on a weekly basis to the county clerk and recorder of the county in which the high school is located. (II) (A) During the last week allowed for registration applications submitted by mail prior to any election, the high school deputy registrar shall forward applications daily to the county clerk and recorder of the county in which the high school is located. (B) Within eight days prior to an election, a high school deputy registrar shall accept an application tendered under this section and shall immediately inform the applicant that, to vote in the upcoming election, the voter must go to a voter service and polling center. (4) Upon receipt of an application, the county clerk and recorder shall determine if the application is complete. If the county clerk and recorder determines that the application is complete, the applicant shall be deemed registered as of the date of application. If the county clerk and recorder determines that the application is not complete, the county clerk and recorder shall notify the applicant, stating the additional information required. The applicant shall be deemed registered as of the date of application when the additional information is provided any time prior to the actual voting. 

Citation: Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-6-101 

Effective: 1993 

Students who are at least 16 years of age may serve as student poll workers and will be paid no less than 75% of what adult poll workers are paid.  

Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-6-101 (7)(a) The general assembly hereby finds and declares that, in order to promote a greater awareness among young people concerning the electoral process, the rights and responsibilities of voters, and the importance of citizen participation in public affairs, as well as to provide additional qualified individuals willing and able to assist with the electoral process, qualified students may be allowed to serve as student election judges.  Therefore, it is the intent of the general assembly in enacting this subsection (7) to authorize designated election officials to appoint qualified students to serve as election judges in conformity with this section. (b)As used in this article, “student election judge” means a student who meets the requirements of this subsection (7) and who is appointed by a designated election official for service as an election judge pursuant to this section. (c) The designated election officials may work with school districts and public or private secondary educational institutions to identify students willing and able to serve as student election judges. Such school districts or educational institutions may submit the names of the students to the designated election official of the jurisdiction in which the school district or educational institution is located for appointment as student election judges. Home-schooled students may apply to the designated election official for appointment as a student election judge pursuant to this section. From among the names submitted, the designated election officials may select students to serve as student election judges who meet the following qualifications: (I) They are a United States citizen or will be a citizen at the time of the election to which the student is serving as a student election judge; (II) They are willing to serve; (III) They are physically and mentally able to perform and complete the assigned tasks; (IV) They will attend a class of instruction concerning the tasks of an election judge prior to each election; (V) They have never been convicted of election fraud, any other election offense, or fraud; (VI) They are not a member of the immediate family, related by blood, marriage, or civil union to the second degree, of a candidate whose name appears on the ballot in the precinct that they are appointed to serve; (VII) They are sixteen years of age or older and either a junior or senior in good standing attending a public or private secondary educational institution or being home-schooled at the time of the election to which the student is serving as a student election judge; and (VIII) Their parent or legal guardian has consented to their service as a student election judge.

Connecticut

Citation: Const. amend. art. XXXI 

Effective: 2008 

Any citizen will be 18 by the regular election and is otherwise qualified to be an elector and is registered to vote may vote in a primary election. 

Const. amend. art. XXXI Article fourteenth of the amendments to the Constitution is amended to read as follows: Any citizen who will have attained the age of eighteen years on or before the day of a regular election may apply for admission as an elector at such times and in such manner as may be prescribed by law, and, if qualified, shall become an elector on the day of his or her eighteenth birthday. Any citizen who has not yet attained the age of eighteen years but who will have attained the age of eighteen years on or before the day of a regular election, who is otherwise qualified to be an elector and who has applied for admission as an elector in such manner as may be prescribed by law, may vote in any primary election, in such manner as may be prescribed by law, held for such regular election. 

Citation: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 9-23q 

Effective: 2003 

The Secretary of State shall designate a period of time for a state-wide student voter registration drive each year between January 1 and May 31. 

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 9-23q State-wide student voter registration drive. The Secretary of the State shall annually designate, after consultation with registrars of voters, a period of time between January first and May thirty-first for a state-wide student voter registration drive and shall coordinate and publicize such drive. 

Citation: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 9-235d 

Effective: 1997 

Students age 16 or 17 years may serve as checkers, translators, or machine operators in their county during elections.  

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 9-235d (a) Notwithstanding any provision of sections 9-233, 9-235 and 9-258 to the contrary, a United States citizen who is sixteen or seventeen years of age and a bona fide resident of a town may be (1) appointed as a challenger or unofficial checker in an election, or (2) appointed as a checker, translator, ballot clerk or voting tabulator tender in an election after (A) attending poll worker training, and (B) receiving the written permission of a parent, guardian or the principal of the school that the citizen attends if the citizen is a secondary school student and the citizen is to be appointed to work on a day when such school is in session. (b) Notwithstanding any provision of section 9-436 or 9-436a to the contrary, a United States citizen who is sixteen or seventeen years of age and a bona fide resident of a town or political subdivision holding a primary may be (1) appointed as a challenger or candidate checker in the primary, or (2) appointed as a checker, translator, ballot clerk or voting tabulator tender in a primary after (A) attending poll worker training, and (B) receiving the written permission of a parent, guardian or the principal of the school that the citizen attends if the citizen is a secondary school student and the citizen is to be appointed to work on a day when such school is in session. 

Citation: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 9-236a 

Effective: 1994 

Students from kindergarten to grade twelve, inclusive, may use a spare voting tabulator or ballot box at a polling place for educational use. 

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 9-236a Spare voting tabulator or ballot box for educational use of students. Any town, on its own initiative or upon a request by the Secretary of the State, and with the approval of the legislative body of the town or, in the case of a town in which the legislative body is a town meeting, the board of selectmen, may require a spare voting tabulator or ballot box to be provided inside any polling place or in a room adjacent to the polling place, for the educational use of students from kindergarten to grade twelve, inclusive. Upon such approval, the registrars shall establish procedures for the use of the tabulator or ballot box, including but not limited to: (1) Location and preparation of the tabulator or ballot box, (2) duties of tabulator or ballot box tenders, and (3) canvassing the returns. Any such tabulator shall be in addition to the demonstrator or spare voting tabulator required by section 9-260. Ballots completed by students under this section shall be unofficial, and polling place officials shall not be required to handle or count such ballots. Each student who will be using such tabulator or ballot box inside a polling place or a room adjacent to the polling place shall be accompanied by an adult. The supervisor of such students for the purposes of this section shall submit the names of all adults who will be working with such students to the registrars at least forty-eight hours before the election.

Delaware

Citation: 15 Del. Code c. 17 § 1701 

Effective: 2010 

Registered applicants shall be qualified voters if they are 18 years or older, or if they will be 18 years old by the next general election they may vote in primary elections. Citizens of at least 16 years of age may register to vote through the DMV, and an individual’s pre-registration will be converted automatically into an active registration at 18 years of age.   

15 Del. Code c. 17 § 1701 (a) Every applicant for registration shall be a qualified voter in a general or primary election if such applicant is a citizen of this State of the age of 18 years and upwards, or who will be 18 years old on or before the day of the general election next succeeding the applicant’s registration, and is a bona fide resident of this State. An applicant shall be a qualified voter in a special election if such applicant is a citizen of this State of the age of 18 years and upwards on the date of the special election… (b) The Department shall permit registration of any citizen and bona fide resident of this State 16 years of age or older through the Division of Motor Vehicles as set forth in § 2050(a) of this title, provided that such applicant shall not be a qualified voter unless qualified under subsection (a) of this section. 

District of Columbia

Citation: D.C. Code § 1-1001.05 

Effective: 2004  

Students who are least 16 years of age and are residents of DC and who are enrolled or graduated from high school or an institution of higher education may serve as temporary election workers.  

D.C. Code § 1-1001.05 (e)(4)(A) The Board shall select, appoint, and fix the compensation of temporary election workers to operate the polling places, including precinct captains who shall oversee the operations of polling places in accordance with rules prescribed by the Board, and polling place workers who shall assist the precinct captains. Precinct captains shall be qualified registered electors in the District. Polling place workers shall be qualified registered electors in the District; provided, that the Board may also appoint as polling place workers individuals who are at least 16 years of age on the day that they are working in this capacity, who reside in the District of Columbia, and who are enrolled in or have graduated from a public or private secondary school or an institution of higher education. Any polling place worker shall be required to: (i) Complete at least 4 hours of training; (ii) Receive certification as a polling place worker under standards that the Board shall promulgate; and (iii) Take and sign an oath of office to honestly, faithfully, and promptly perform the duties of office.

Citation: D.C. Code § 1-1001.07 

Effective: 2009 

A person who is 16 years old may pre-register to vote, and a 17 year old may vote providing that they are at least 18 years of age on or before the next general election.  

D.C. Code § 1–1001. 07 (a-2) A person who is otherwise qualified may pre-register on or after that person's 16th birthday and may vote in any election occurring on or after that person's 17th birthday; provided, that the person is at least 18 years of age on or before the next general election. 

Citation: D.C. Code § 1–1001.07 

Effective: 1993  

District of Columbia Public Schools shall be designated as voter registration agencies.  

D.C. Code § 1–1001. 07 (d)(1)(B) In addition to the agencies named in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, the Department of Parks and Recreation, the Department of Corrections, the Department of Youth and Rehabilitative Services, the Office on Aging, the District of Columbia Public Library, and the District of Columbia Public Schools shall be designated as voter registration agencies; provided, that access to voter registration services at District of Columbia Public Schools shall be restricted to District of Columbia Public Schools students and employees. 

Citation: D.C. Code § 1–1001.07 

Effective: 2020 

Schools must allow an excused absence of at least two hours for students who wish to vote. 

D.C. Code § 1–1001. 07 (c)Upon the request of a student, an educational institution shall provide the student an excused absence of at least 2 hours to vote in person in any election held under this subchapter, or, if the student is not eligible to vote in the District, in any election run by the jurisdiction in which the student is eligible to vote; provided, that the student's educational institution may specify the hours during which the student may take the leave, including by requiring that the student take the leave during any period designated for early voting instead of on the day of the election. 

Florida

Citation: Fla. Stat. § 97.041 

Effective: 2008 

16-year-olds may pre-register to vote and vote in any election that occurs after their 18th birthday.  

Fla. Stat. § 97.041 (b) A person who is otherwise qualified may preregister on or after that person's 16th birthday and may vote in any election occurring on or after that person's 18th birthday. 

Citation: Fla. Stat. § 102.012 

Effective: 2008 

Individuals who are 16 or older and are pre-registered to vote may serve on the election board. 

Fla. Stat. § 102.012 (2) Each member of the election board shall be able to read and write the English language and shall be a registered qualified elector of the county in which the member is appointed or a person who has preregistered to vote, pursuant to s. 97.041(1)(b), in the county in which the member is appointed. No election board shall be composed solely of members of one political party; however, in any primary in which only one party has candidates appearing on the ballot, all clerks and inspectors may be of that party. Any person whose name appears as an opposed candidate for any office shall not be eligible to serve on an election board. 

Citation: Fla. Stat. § 97.0583 

Effective: 2018 

Schools must provide students with the opportunity to register to vote or update their voter registration at least once a year. 

Fla. Stat. § 97.0583 Each qualifying educational institution shall provide each student enrolled in that institution the opportunity to register to vote or to update a voter registration record on each campus at least once a year. Qualifying educational institutions are also encouraged to provide voter registration services at other times and places, such as upon application for financial aid, during admissions, at registration, upon issuance of student identifications, and at new-student orientation. 

Georgia

Citation: O.C.G.A. Section 21-2-92

Effective: 2012

Creates Student Teen Election Participation (STEP) program, which allows local election boards and election superintendents to permit high school students to volunteer to work as poll workers.  This work does not count as a day of absence from school.

O.C.G.A. Section 21-2-92 (c)  Each local board of education and election superintendent shall be authorized to develop and implement through a coordinated effort a Student Teen Election Participant (STEP) program. The STEP program shall permit full-time public, private, and home schooled high school students to volunteer to work as poll officers during any primary, special, or general election. In addition to the qualifications set forth in subsection (a) of this Code section, a student participating in the STEP program shall: (1)  Be a United States citizen;

(2) Have a Georgia driver's license or Georgia state-issued identification card; (3) Have demonstrated age-appropriate academic ability for the previous school year; and (4) Have a history of responsible school and community behavior. A student participating in the STEP program shall at all times while working as a poll officer remain under the supervision of an adult poll officer or manager who is 21 years of age or older. No student shall be permitted to participate in the STEP program without the written authorization of his or her parent or legal guardian and such other documentation as may be required by the local board of education or election superintendent. A student in the STEP program shall work a minimum of four but not more than six hours during a single election day and shall receive age-appropriate training for serving as a poll officer. A student who successfully participates in the STEP program shall be counted as present and given full credit for the school day during which he or she served in the STEP program. No student shall be permitted to be absent from school or participate in the STEP program for more than two school days. The election superintendent and local board of education shall adopt mutually agreed upon rules, regulations, and policies prior to the initiation of a STEP program.

Citation: O.C.G.A. Section 21-2-215

Effective: 1994

The county board of registrars may designate any educational facility open to and frequented by the general public as an office of registration (in addition to the board of registrar’s main office) on a temporary or permanent basis.  Principals of public and private high schools and presidents of public and private colleges, universities, and state-supported technical institutes are deputy registrars of their county.  As such, they must inform their students and employees of the availability of voter registration and provide convenient registration procedures. They may also invite other deputy registrars to conduct voter registration.

O.C.G.A. Section 21-2-215 (d) The board of registrars may designate additional registration places throughout the county on a temporary or permanent basis. These additional offices for registration will have fixed hours of operation. All voter registration places shall be places open to the general public and frequented by the general public. Such places for temporary or permanent voter registration may include, but shall not be limited to, any of the following: churches, synagogues, governmentally funded and managed public housing facilities, public social agencies, public child care centers, public recreation centers, public buildings and shopping centers, multifamily apartment complexes, child care centers, and educational facilities, provided that such places are in fact open to and frequented by the general public… (g) Each principal or assistant principal of every public or private high school, the president of every public or private college or university, the president of each state supported technical institute president shall be a deputy registrar of the county in which the school, college, university, or institute is located for the purpose of receiving voter registration applications from those qualified applicants who are enrolled students within the principal’s school or the president’s college, university, or institute or who are employed by the private high school, the school system, the college, or university, or the state supported technical institute, notwithstanding the fact that students or employees are not residents of the county in which the school, college, university, or institute is located. Such principals, assistant principals, presidents, and their designees shall inform their students and employees of the availability of such voter registration and shall provide reasonable and convenient procedures to enable such persons who are qualified applicants to register. The principal of each public or private high school, the president of each public or private college or university, and the president of each state supported technical institute are authorized to invite other deputy registrars to the school, college, university, or institute for the purpose of conducting voter registration. All such deputy registrars are authorized by this subsection shall receive annual training by the board of registrars of the county in which such deputy registrars shall work.

Citation: O.C.G.A. Section 21-2-216

Effective: 2010

Any individual that is 17.5 years of age (will turn 18 in 6 months) is allowed to pre-register to vote but will not be able to vote in a primary or general election until they have turned 18. 

O.C.G.A. Section 21-2-216 (c) Any person who possesses the qualifications of an elector except that concerning age shall be permitted to register to vote if such person will acquire such qualification within six months after the day of registration; provided, however, that such person shall not be permitted to vote in a primary or election until the acquisition of all specified qualifications.

Citation: O.C.G.A. Section 21-2-222

Effective: 1994

The Secretary of State shall designate voter registration offices, which may include public schools. These offices include voter registration forms, assistance to complete these forms, and acceptance of completed forms for submission to the Secretary of State.

O.C.G.A Section 21-2-222 (c) In addition to the offices listed in subsection (b) of this Code section, the Secretary of State shall designate other offices within the state as designated voter registration offices. Such offices may include, but not be limited to: (1) State or local governmental offices such as public libraries, public schools, offices of county and municipal clerks, and government revenue offices. (d) At each designated voter registration agency, the following services shall be made available: (1)  Distribution of the mail voter registration application provided for in Code Section 21-2-223 in accordance with subsection (f) of this Code section; (2) Assistance to applicants in completing voter registration application forms, unless the applicant refuses such assistance; and (3) Acceptance of completed voter registration application forms for submission to the Secretary of State.

Citation: O.C.G.A Section 20-2-310

Effective: 2010

Every April, public school administrations shall give all eligible students the opportunity to register to vote. School administrations may at their discretion allow excused absences of up to one school day for voting.

O.C.G.A Section 20-2-310 (b) Each eligible student in the public schools of this state shall be apprised of his or her right to register as an elector and to vote in elections and of any obligation to register with the Selective Service System. Each eligible student shall be given an opportunity, arranged by the school administration, to register to vote at his or her school during the month of April of each year. The State Board of Education shall promulgate rules and regulations to carry out this Code section. An excused absence of a student to register or vote, at the discretion of the local unit of administration, shall not exceed one school day.

Citation: Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 160-4-2-.23

Effective: 2004

Schools should nominate for the Georgia Scholar Program only students who have, among other criteria, registered to vote, if they are a citizen and over the age of 18.

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 160-4-2-.23 (d) Schools shall nominate only those students who have:

8. Registered to vote if a United States citizen and 18 years of age on or before March 1 of the year in which their application for the Georgia Scholar Program is submitted to the Georgia Department of Education.

Citation: Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 160-5-1-.10

Effective: 2019

Local School boards should adopt policies excusing students when absent from school for one day to register to vote or vote in a public election.

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 160-5-1-.10 (b) Local boards of education shall adopt policies and procedures excusing students from school under the following circumstances, as a minimum. Policies may require submission of appropriate documentation. 6. Registering to vote or voting in a public election, which shall not exceed one day.

Hawaii

Citation: HRS § 2-11-12 

Effective: 1993 

16-year-olds may pre-register and 17-year-olds may register but not vote until they turn 18. 

HRS § 2-11-12 (a) Every person who has reached the age of eighteen years or who is seventeen years of age and will be eighteen years of age by the date of the next election, and is otherwise qualified to register may do so for that election. The person shall then be listed upon the appropriate county general register and precinct list. No person shall register or vote in any other precinct than that in which the person resides except as provided in section 11-21. (b) A person who is otherwise qualified to register and is at least sixteen years of age but will not be eighteen years of age by the date of the next election may preregister upon satisfactory proof of age and shall be automatically registered upon reaching age eighteen. 

Citation: HRS § 2-11-15 Att. Gen. Op. 72‑2 

Effective: 1972 

17-year-olds may serve as voter registrars. 

Att. Gen. Op. 72‑2. Clerk may deputize seventeen-year olds as voter registrars, there being no statute imposing age requirement.  

Idaho

Citation: Idaho Code § 34-303 

Effective: 2004 

The county clerk can appoint two students who are at least 17 years of age to serve under election board members. 

Idaho Code § 34-303 (4)  In order to provide for a greater awareness of the election process, the rights and responsibilities of voters and the importance of participating in the electoral process, as well as to provide additional members of precinct boards, a county clerk may appoint not more than two (2) students per precinct to serve under the direct supervision of election board members designated by the county clerk. A student may be appointed, notwithstanding lack of eligibility to vote, if the student possesses the following qualifications: (a) Is at least sixteen (16) years of age at the time of the election for which he or she is serving as a member of an election board; and (b) Is a citizen of the United States. 

Illinois

Citation: 10 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 5/3-6 

Effective: 2016 

A person who is 17 years old on the date of a caucus, general primary election, or consolidated primary election and who is otherwise qualified to vote is qualified to vote, if that person will be 18 years old on the date of the immediately following general election or consolidated election for which candidates are nominated at that primary. 

10 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 5/3-6 Voting age. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person who is 17 years old on the date of a caucus, general primary election, or consolidated primary election and who is otherwise qualified to vote is qualified to vote at that caucus, general primary, or consolidated primary, including voting a vote by mail, grace period, or early voting ballot with respect to that general primary or consolidated primary, if that person will be 18 years old on the date of the immediately following general election or consolidated election for which candidates are nominated at that primary. References in this Code and elsewhere to the requirement that a person must be 18 years old to vote shall be interpreted in accordance with this Section. For the purposes of this Code, an individual who is 17 years of age and who will be 18 years of age on the date of the general or consolidated election shall be deemed competent to execute and attest to any voter registration forms. An individual who is 17 years of age, will be 18 years of age on the date of the immediately following general or consolidated election, and is otherwise qualified to vote shall be deemed eligible to circulate a nominating petition or a petition proposing a public question. 

Citation: 10 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 5/4-6.2, 5/5-16.2, & 5/6-50.2 

Effective: 2011 

High school, elementary school, and vocational school principals and college, university, or community college presidents or a qualified person appointed by the principal or president may be appointed as deputy registrars by the board of election commissioners upon request. (Different statutes refer to procedures according to the size of the municipality.)  

10 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 5/4-6.2 and 10 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 5/5-16.2 and 10 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 5/5-50.2 (a) … The county clerk shall appoint each of the following named persons as deputy registrars upon the written request of such persons: 2. The principal, or a qualified person designated by the principal, of any high school, elementary school, or vocational school situated within the election jurisdiction, who may accept the registrations of any qualified resident of the State, at such school. The county clerk shall notify every principal and vice-principal of each high school, elementary school, and vocational school situated within the election jurisdiction of their eligibility to serve as deputy registrars and offer training courses for service as deputy registrars at conveniently located facilities at least 4 months prior to every election. 

Citation: 10 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 5/7-42, 5/17-15 

Effective: 2020 

A student who votes in a primary or general election is entitled to be absent for up to 2 hours during the school day in order to vote. 

10 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 5/7-42 (b) Beginning the 15th day before the primary election or on the day of the primary election, any student entitled to vote at such primary shall be entitled to be absent from school for a period of 2 hours during the school day in order to vote. The school may specify the hours during which the eligible student may be absent. A student who is absent from school under this subsection (b) is not considered absent for the purpose of calculating enrollment under Section 18-8.15 of the School Code. 

10 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 5/17-15 (b) Beginning the 15th day before a general or special election or any election at which propositions are submitted to a popular vote in this State or on the day of a general or special election or any election at which propositions are submitted to a popular vote in this State, any student entitled to vote at such election shall be entitled to be absent from school for a period of 2 hours during the school day in order to vote. The school may specify the hours during which the eligible student may be absent. A student who is absent from school under this subsection (b) is not considered absent for the purpose of calculating enrollment under Section 18-8.15 of the School Code. 

Citation: 10 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 5/13-4 

Effective: 2011 

High school juniors and seniors, community college students, and public and private college and university students may be appointed as election judges. 

10 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 5/13-4 (b) An election authority may establish a program to permit a person who is not entitled to vote to be appointed as an election judge if, as of the date of the election at which the person serves as a judge, her or she: (1) Is a U.S. citizen; (2) Is a junior or senior in good standing enrolled in a public or private secondary school; (3) Has a cumulative grade point average equivalent to at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; (4) Has the written approval of the principal of the secondary school he or she attends at the time of appointment; (5) Has the written approval of his or her parent or legal guardian; (6) Has satisfactorily completed the training course for judges of election described in sections 13-2.1 and 13-2.2; and (7) Meets all other qualifications for appointment and service as an election judge. No more than one election judge qualifying under this subsection may serve per political party per precinct. Prior to appointment, a judge qualifying under this subsection must certify in writing to the election authority the political party the judge chooses to affiliate with. Students appointed as election judges under this subsection shall not be counted as absent from school on the day they serve as judges. 

Citation: 105 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann.  50/5-35 

Effective: 2003 

Voting by Minors Act: The State Board of Elections and the State Board of Education shall create a pilot program for K-12 students in participating school districts with sufficient funding to hold a simulated election on the same date as the general election.  

105 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann.  50/5 Development of program. (a) Ill. The State Board of Elections and the State Board of Education shall develop a pilot program under which elementary and secondary school students in kindergarten through grade 12 in participating school districts and counties may participate in a simulated election held on the date of the general election in 2004. (b) The program shall be designed for implementation only in those counties in which the election authority elects to participate in the program. Each school district located in those counties may elect to participate in the program. 

105 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann.  50/10 Funding. (a) Implementation of the program is contingent upon receipt of the necessary funding from private sources. (b) The program as developed by the State Board of Elections and State Board of Education: (i) shall require the formation of a nonprofit, volunteer administrative board in each participating county and a coordinating statewide board that is also nonprofit and volunteer; (ii) shall prescribe the manner in which those boards shall be formed; (iii) shall prescribe the responsibilities of those boards, including securing the necessary private funding and volunteer assistance required to implement the program; and (iv) shall prescribe measures designed to assure fiscal integrity in the use of donated funds and equitable distribution of those funds for program purposes in the participating counties and school districts. 

105 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann.  50/15 Volunteer assistance. State funds shall not be used for implementation of the program. The program shall be conducted and operated with volunteer assistance and private funds. The State Board of Elections and State Board of Education, however, shall develop the program as required by this Act and may make their personnel available on a reasonable basis for consulting purposes. 

105 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann.  50/20  Educational curriculum. A component of the program as developed by the State Board of Education and State Board of Elections shall include a reasonable amount of classroom instruction, as part of existing courses offered by a participating school district, concerning voting history and laws, voting procedures, election campaigns, media influence, and the importance of voter participation. The suggested curriculum shall be developed by the State Board of Education and State Board of Elections by January 1, 2004 and shall be made available to school districts that may later elect to participate in the program. The suggested curriculum shall be based upon 6 to 12 hours of classroom instruction and shall include homework assignments that necessitate dialogue between children and their parents or guardians concerning the voting process and specifically the candidates and propositions to be voted upon at the general election. 

105 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann.  50/25 Basic program requirements. The program standards jointly developed under subsection (c) of Section 5 shall require: (i) that children register to vote in the simulated election; (ii) that on the day of the 2004 general election the children accompany their parents to the polls and vote on separate ballots in voting booths adjacent to the adult booths; (iii) that the children vote on the same races and propositions as the adult voters, except that the number of races or propositions on which the younger children vote may be reduced as necessary based on their grade level; (iv) that the ballots be designed, using pictures and symbols as necessary, so that all children may vote their choice even though they are unable to read; (v) that simulated election judges participate at the polls as part of the simulated election; (vi) that the results of the simulated election be tabulated beginning after the closing of the polls and the results announced on the following day; and (vii) other standards that the State Board of Elections and State Board of Education determine will contribute to the voting experience of the children. 

105 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann.  50/30 Report. The State Board of Elections and State Board of Education shall develop the voting by minors pilot program and distribute it to all county election authorities and school districts in January of 2004. In addition, before January 1, 2004, the State Board of Elections and State Board of Education shall jointly file with the Governor and the General Assembly a copy of the program together with a written report recommending any additional legislation necessary before actual implementation of the program at the 2004 general election. 

105 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann.  50/35 Timetable. The State Board of Elections and State Board of Education shall adopt rules under which (i) counties and school districts that chose to participate in the voting by minors program are determined beginning no later than March 1, 2004, (ii) the county and statewide boards described in subsection (b) of Section 10 are established no later than July 1, 2004, and (iii) the availability of sufficient private funding is determined by August 1, 2004, along with those counties and school districts that will be actual program participants. 

Indiana

Citation: Ind. Code Ann. § 3-6-3.7-2, § 3-6-3.7-3 

Effective: 2003 

The Secretary of State shall consult with the Help America Vote Foundation and may develop programs for the purpose of to encouraging secondary school students to participate in the election process as poll workers or assistants to local election officials in precinct polling places.  

Ind. Code Ann. § 3-6-3.7-2 Sec. 2. In addition to performing the duties related to elections specified in this title, the secretary of state, with the consent of the co-directors of the election division shall do the following: … (3) Consult with the Help America Vote Foundation established under 36 U.S.C. 152601 in developing programs to encourage secondary school students (including students educated in the home) to participate in the election process in a nonpartisan manner as poll workers or assistants to local election officials in precinct polling places. 

Ind. Code Ann. § 3-6-3.7-3 The secretary of state may develop programs to encourage Indiana secondary school students and students in postsecondary educational institutions in Indiana to assist state and local governments in the administration of elections. 

Citation: Ind. Code. Ann. § 3-6-6-39    

Effective: 1987 

An individual who is 16 or 17 years of age may serve as an assistant poll clerk.  

Ind. Code. Ann. § 3-6-6-39 (a) The county election board by unanimous vote of the entire membership of the board may permit an individual who is not a voter to serve as any precinct election officer (other than inspector), or to assist a precinct election officer, if the individual satisfies all the following: (1) The individual is at least sixteen (16) years of age but not eighteen (18) years of age or older. (2) The individual is a citizen of the United States. (3) The individual is a resident of the county. (4) The individual has a cumulative grade point average equivalent to not less than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. (5) The individual has the written approval of the principal of the school the individual attends at the time of the appointment or, if the  student is educated in the home, the approval of the individual responsible for the education of the student. (6) The individual has the approval of the individual's parent or legal guardian. (7) The individual has satisfactorily completed any training required by the county election board. (8) The individual otherwise is eligible to serve as a precinct election officer under this chapter but is not required to be a registered voter of the county. (b) An individual appointed to a precinct election office or assistant under this section, while serving as a precinct election officer or assistant: (1) is not required to obtain an employment certificate under IC 20-33-3; and (2) is not subject to the limitations on time and duration of employment under IC 20-33-3

Citation: Ind. Code Ann. § 3-7-13-1, § 3-7-13-2 

Effective: 1995 

A person who is registered and eligible to vote at next general, municipal, or special election may vote in the primary election. 

Ind. Code Ann. § 3-7-13-1 Persons eligible to vote. Sec. 1. A person who: (1) will be at least eighteen (18) years of age at the next general, municipal, or special election; (2) is a United States citizen; and (3) resides in a precinct continuously before a general, municipal, or special election for at least thirty (30) days; may, upon making a proper application under this article, register to vote in that precinct. 

Ind. Code Ann. § 3-7-13-2 Eligibility to vote in primary election. Sec. 2. A person who, on the day of the next general, municipal, or special election, will meet the age and residency requirements of section 1 of this chapter may register and vote in the primary election. 

Citation: Ind. Code Ann. § 3-7-24-7 

Effective: 1995 

Every public secondary school serves as a distribution site for mail-in voter registration forms. 

Ind. Code Ann. § 3-7-24-7 Each public secondary school is a distribution site for registration by mail forms. 

Iowa

Citation: Iowa Code Ann. § 48A.23 

Effective: 1995 

Each high school must offer those 17 years of age or older the opportunity to register to vote at least twice during the school year.   

Iowa Code Ann. § 48A.23 1. At least twice during each school year, the board of directors of each school district operating a high school and the authorities in charge of each accredited nonpublic school shall offer the opportunity to register to vote to each student who is at least seventeen years of age.  

Citation: Iowa Code Ann. § 48A.5 

Effective: 2010 

An individual who is 17 and will be 18 in the next general election may pre-register to vote. Furthermore, if an individual is 17 but will be 18 by the next general election, they will be allowed to vote in the primary election.  

Iowa Code Ann. § 48A.5 (2) To be qualified to register to vote an eligible elector shall: c. (1) Be at least eighteen years of age.  However, for purposes of voting in the primary election, an eligible elector shall be at least eighteen years of age on the date of the respective general election or city election. Completed registration forms shall be accepted from registrants who are at least seventeen years of age. For an election other than a primary election, the registration shall not be effective until the registrant reaches the age of eighteen. The commissioner of registration shall ensure that the birth date shown on the registration form is at least seventeen years earlier than the date the registration is processed. (2) A registrant who is at least seventeen years of age and who will be eighteen by the date of a pending election is a registered voter for the pending election for purposes of chapter 53. For purposes of voting in a primary election under chapter 43, a registrant who will be at least eighteen years of age by the date of the respective general election or city election is a registered voter for the pending primary election. 

Citation: Iowa Code Ann. § 49.13 

Effective: 1995 

The commissioner can appoint students to the position of precinct election board members when they are not yet old enough to be registered voters, given that they are at least seventeen years of age and in good academic standing.  

Iowa Code Ann. § 49.13 6. The commissioner may appoint high school students who are not yet qualified to be registered voters to serve as precinct election board members. a. To qualify to serve as a precinct election board member, a high school student shall: (1) Be a United States citizen. (2) Be at least seventeen years of age and a student in good standing enrolled in a public or private secondary school in Iowa. (3) Receive credit in at least four subjects, each of one period or hour, or the equivalent thereof, at all times. The eligible subjects are language arts, social studies, mathematics, science, health, physical education, fine arts, world language, and career and technical education. Coursework taken as a postsecondary enrollment option for which a school district or accredited nonpublic school grants academic credit toward high school graduation shall be used in determining eligibility. A student shall not be denied eligibility if the student’s school program deviates from the traditional two-semester school year. Each student wishing to participate under this subsection shall be passing all coursework for which credit is given and shall be making adequate progress toward graduation requirements at the end of each grading period. At the end of a grading period that is the final grading period in a school year, a student who receives a failing grade in any course for which credit is awarded is ineligible to participate under this subsection. A student who is eligible at the close of a semester is academically eligible to participate under this subsection until the beginning of the subsequent semester. A student with a disability who has an individualized education program shall not be denied eligibility to participate under this subsection on the basis of scholarship if the student is making adequate progress, as determined by school officials, towards the goals and objectives of the student’s individualized education program. (4) At the time of appointment, have the written approval of the principal of the secondary school the student attends. (5) Have the written approval of the student’s parent or legal guardian. (6) Have satisfactorily completed the training course for election officials. (7) Meet all other qualifications for appointment and service as an election board member except the requirement of being a registered voter. b. No more than one student precinct election board member may serve on each precinct election board. c. Student precinct election board members shall not serve as the chairperson of a precinct election board. d. Before serving at a partisan election, the student precinct election board member must certify in writing to the commissioner the political party with which the student is affiliated. e. Student precinct election board members shall not be allowed to work more hours than allowed under the applicable labor laws. f. A student who serves on a precinct election board is not eligible to receive class credit for such service unless such service qualifies as meeting the requirements of a class assignment imposed on all students in the class. g. No later than fourteen days after the date of the election, the commissioner shall report to the appropriate secondary school the following information: (1) The name of each student attending the school who served as a precinct election board member on election day. (2) The number of hours the student served as a precinct election board member. (3) The precinct number and polling place location where the student served as a precinct election board member. (4) Any other information the commissioner deems appropriate or that is requested by the school. 

Citation: Iowa Code Ann. § 280.9A 

Effective: 1995 

As a condition for graduation from high school, all students must complete instruction in voting statutes and procedures, voter registration requirements, the use of paper ballots and voting systems, and the method of acquiring and casting an absentee ballot. County voting equipment is available for this purpose, upon request.

Iowa Code Ann. § 280.9A 1. The board of directors of each local public school district and the authorities in charge of each nonpublic school shall require that all students in grades nine through twelve complete, as a condition of graduation, instruction in American history and the governments of Iowa and the United States, including instruction in voting statutes and procedures, voter registration requirements, the use of paper ballots and voting systems in the election process, and the method of acquiring and casting an absentee ballot. 2. The county auditor, upon request and at a site chosen by the county auditor, shall make available to schools within the county voting equipment or sample ballots that are generally used within the county, at times when this equipment or sample ballots are not in use for their recognized purpose. 3. At least twice during each school year, the board of directors of each local public school district operating a high school and the authorities in charge of each accredited nonpublic school operating a high school shall offer the opportunity to register to vote to each student who is at least seventeen years of age, as required by section 48A.23.

Kansas

Citation: Kan. Stat. Ann. § 25-2804 

Effective: 2000 

County Election Officers may appoint students at least 16 years of age to be election judges or clerks.  

Kan. Stat. Ann. § 25-2804 (b) Except as otherwise provided by this subsection, all judges and clerks shall have the qualifications of an elector in the election at which they serve, and no judge or clerk shall be a candidate for any office, other than the office of precinct committeeman or precinct committeewoman, to be elected at such election. The county election officer may appoint persons who are at least 16 years of age to serve as election judges or clerks if such persons meet all other requirements for qualification of an elector and have a letter of recommendation from a school teacher, counselor or administrator. No more than ⅓ of the persons appointed to each election board may be under the age of 18. 

Kentucky

Citation: Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 116.046 

Effective: 1990 

County clerks must provide public high schools, vocational schools, and private schools upon request with voter registration forms.  The principal of each institution must designate a person responsible for informing the students and personnel of the availability of the forms and helping them complete the forms properly. The State Board of Education shall implement programs of public education regarding elections, voting procedures, and election fraud, which shall include an audio-visual presentation for high school juniors and seniors. 

Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 116.046 (1) The county clerk shall provide voter registration forms to each principal or assistant principal of every public high school, each area vocational school, and upon request, private schools, who shall designate a person in each school who shall be responsible for informing students and school personnel of the availability of the registration forms and assist them in properly registering. The completed forms shall be returned to the county clerk, for official registration by the county clerk. (2) Any person designated to assist in registration in subsection (1) of this section shall fulfill this responsibility in an impartial and fair manner and shall not recruit a registrant for any particular party. (3) The State Board of Education shall implement programs of public education regarding elections, voting procedures, and election fraud, which shall include an audio-visual presentation for high school juniors and seniors. The State Board of Education, after consultation with the State Board of Elections, shall update the public education programs required by this section as relevant statutory changes occur, as different types of voting machines are used, or as more effective methods of presentation shall be developed.  

Citation: Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 116.055 

Effective: 2019 

An individual who is 17 years of age and will be 18 by the regular election shall be entitled to vote in the primary if otherwise qualified. 

Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 116.055 (5) The qualifications shall be determined as of the date of the primary, without regard to the qualifications or disqualifications as they may exist at the succeeding regular election, except that minors seventeen (17) years of age who will become eighteen (18) years of age on or before the day of the regular election shall be entitled to vote in the primary if otherwise qualified.  

Citation: Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 117.045 

Effective: 2010  

A 17-year-old who will be 18 by the general election may work as a poll worker for the primary and general election.  

Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 117.045 (1) The county board of elections shall in the manner prescribed by this section, not later than March 20 each year, except in a year in which no primary and regular elections are scheduled, appoint for each precinct in the county two (2) judges, one (1) clerk and one (1) sheriff of election. They shall serve in all elections held in the county during the year, except for minors seventeen (17) years of age who will become eighteen (18) years of age on or before the day of the regular election who may only serve as election officers for the primary and regular elections as provided in subsection (9) of this section… (9) …A minor seventeen (17) years of age who will become eighteen (18) years of age on or before the day of the regular election may serve as an election officer for the primary and regular elections in which he or she is qualified to vote; however, no precinct shall have more than one (1) person serving as an election officer who is a minor seventeen (17) years of age. 

Citation: Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 117.235 

Effective: 1992 

The State Board of Elections may create a mock election program for students to instill a respect for the democratic process. 

Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 117.235 (6) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1) of this section, the State Board of Elections may establish a program designed to instill in school children a respect for the democratic principles of voting by conducting in any county a mock election for school children in conjunction with any primary, or regular or special election. The State Board of Elections shall promulgate administrative regulations regarding the mock elections to ensure that the regular voting process will not be impaired.  

Citation: Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 117.900 

Effective: 1988 

The Secretary of State shall implement an annual statewide essay contest for high school students on an election related topic chosen by the Secretary each year. 

Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 117.900 (1) The Secretary of State shall implement an annual statewide essay contest for students in grades nine (9) through twelve (12) and an annual statewide slogan contest, each to be relative to an elections-related topic to be chosen by the Secretary of State each year. The Secretary of State shall publicize the contests, present awards or certificates to the essay winner in each grade level and to the slogan contest winner in a public ceremony, and provide appropriate publicity for the winning entries. (2) The Secretary of State shall solicit sponsorship for the essay and slogan contests so that, in addition to awards or certificates, winners shall receive a monetary award, as funds are available from sponsors. 

Citation: Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 158.6450 

Effective: 2011 

Every secondary school shall provide twelfth grade students with information on how to register to vote, how to vote by ballot, and how to vote by absentee ballot through classroom activities, written materials, participation in mock elections, or other methods. 

Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 158.6450 (1) The General Assembly hereby finds that knowledge of procedures for voter registration and participation in elections is essential for all Kentucky students to acquire the capacities established in KRS 158.645(2) and (4). Instruction in election procedures is consistent with the goals of responsible citizenship established in KRS 158.6451. (2) Every secondary school shall provide students in the twelfth grade information on: (a)  How to register to vote; (b)  How to vote in an election using a ballot; and (c) How to vote using an absentee ballot. (3) A school may provide this information through classroom activities, written materials, electronic communication, Internet resources, participation in mock elections, and other methods identified by the principal after consulting with teachers. 

Citation: Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. §158.292 

Effective: 2002 

Students can get excused absence for serving as election officers on Election Day. 

Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. §158.292 Excused absences for students who serve as election officers. Students who serve as election officers under KRS 117.045(9) shall be granted one (1) day of excused absence for each election day served. 

Louisiana

Citation: La. Stat. Ann. § 18:116; La. Admin Code. tit. 31, pt. II, ch. 5, 503 & 505 

Effective: 1995 

The Secretary of State designated all public high schools and all public colleges and universities as voter registration agencies.  Implementation at private colleges, universities, and high schools occurs after they have agreed to participate and completed the necessary training. 

La. Stat. Ann. § 18:116 (2) In addition to the offices listed in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection, the secretary of state shall designate by rule in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act other offices within the state as designated voter registration agencies. Such offices may include but not be limited to: (a) State or local governmental offices such as public libraries, public schools, including the office of a secondary school guidance counselor, offices of municipal clerks, and government revenue offices. 

La. Admin Code. tit. 31, pt. II, ch. 5,  503 A. The following offices are hereby designated as voter registration agencies: 1. all public colleges and universities; 2. all public high schools; 3. all private colleges and universities with their permission; 4. all private high schools with their permission; and 5. all municipalities with their permission.  

La. Admin Code. tit. 31, pt. II, ch. 5, 505 Implementation A. Voter registration at all public colleges and universities will be implemented no later than June 30, 1995. Voter registration at all public high schools will be implemented by no later than August 31, 1995. Implementation will begin for private colleges, universities, high schools, and municipalities upon completion of training after their agreement to participate. 

Citation: La. Stat. Ann. § 18:101 

Effective: 2014 

A person who is 16 years of age may pre-register to vote, but may not vote until they have turned 18.  

La. Stat. Ann. § 18:101 Registration to vote; qualifications; more than one residence; presidential elections. A. (2) Any person age seventeen and who is otherwise qualified to vote may register to vote at any time prior to the first election at which he shall have attained the age of eighteen years. However, no one, under the age of eighteen years shall be permitted to vote in any election. (3) A person who is sixteen years of age may register to vote in the manner provided in R.S. 18:114(B)(1) or by making application in person at the office of the registrar of voters. However, no one under the age of eighteen years shall be permitted to vote in any election. 

Citation: La. Stat. Ann. § 18:425 

Effective: 2017 

A 17-year-old may serve as a poll worker in their precinct which they are able to vote provided they are enrolled in 12th grade, have graduated from high school, or have a GED.  

La. Stat. Ann. § 18:425 (B)(5) A person who is at least seventeen years of age, under the age of eighteen, and is not a qualified voter but is otherwise qualified to serve as a commissioner pursuant to this Subsection may be selected to serve as a commissioner in any precinct of the ward where he may register to vote pursuant to R.S. 18:101(A), provided that the person is enrolled in the twelfth grade of any Louisiana public high school or state-approved nonpublic high school, is participating at the twelfth grade level in a home study program approved by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, has received a diploma from any Louisiana public high school or state-approved nonpublic high school, has received a diploma for completion of a home study program approved by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, or has been issued a high school equivalency diploma after successfully completing the test of General Educational Development. 

Maine

Citation: Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 21-A §111-A 

Effective: 2003 

A person who has not yet reached 18 years of age but will be 18 years of age at the time of a general election may vote in a primary election. 

Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 21-A §111-A A person who has not yet reached 18 years of age but will be 18 years of age at the time of a general election and meets all other qualifications in order to vote in a primary election may vote in the primary election for the selection of candidates to be on the ballot at that general election.  

Citation: Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 21-A §155 

Effective: 2020 

An individual who is 16 or 17 years of age may pre-register to vote, and their registration automatically becomes effective once they turn 18.  

Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 21-A §155 The registrar shall conditionally accept the registration and enrollment of any person who is 16 or 17 years of age and who is otherwise qualified to be a voter. The conditional registration automatically becomes effective on the person's 18th birthday and the registrant then is eligible to vote. A person who has registered under this section and who has not attained 18 years of age may vote by absentee ballot at any election if that person attains 18 years of age on or before the date of the election and is otherwise eligible to vote by absentee ballot. 

Citation: Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 21-A, § 181 

Effective: 1995 

Public high schools are considered designated voter registration agencies.  

Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 21-A, § 181 1. Designated voter registration agencies. The designated voter registration agencies pursuant to NVRA include, but are not limited to: 3) the public high schools. 

Citation: Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 21-A, § 503-A 

Effective: 2019 

Persons who are 17 years of age and registered to vote may serve as election clerks. 

Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 21-A, § 503-A 1. Qualifications; compensation.  Election clerks must be at least 18 years of age, must be registered to vote and must be residents of the municipality or the county in which they serve, except that residents of a municipality or county who are 17 years of age and who are conditionally registered to vote pursuant to section 155 also qualify to serve as election clerks. Election clerks are entitled to reasonable compensation as determined by the municipal officers.   

Maryland

Citation: Md. Elec. Law § 3-102 

Effective: 2010 

An individual who is 16 years of age may pre-register to vote. Individuals who will be 18 years of age by a general election may vote in the primary for that election.  

Md. Elec. Law § 3-102 (a)(1) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, an individual may become registered to vote if the individual: (i) is a citizen of the United States; (ii) is at least 16 years old; (iii) is a resident of the State as of the day the individual seeks to register; and (iv) registers pursuant to this title. (2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1)(ii) of this subsection, an individual under the age of 18 years: (i) may vote in a primary election in which candidates are nominated for a general or special election that will occur when the individual is at least 18 years old and (ii) may not vote in any other election. 

Citation: Md. Elec. Law § 10-202 

Effective: 2014  

An individual who is at least 16 years of age and is a registered voter may serve as an election judge.  

Md. Elec. Law § 10-202 (a) (2) (ii) Subject to the provisions of § 3-210(c) of the Labor and Employment Article, a minor who is at least 16 years old and who is a registered voter may be appointed and serve as an election judge. 

Citation: Md. Elec. Law § 10-402, § 10-403, § 10-404, § 10-405 

Effective: 2019 

Establishes the Election Day Page Program (for individuals 14 years of age or older) to stimulate student interest in elections, provide assistance to election judges, and assist elderly and disabled voters at polling places; which requires the State Board of Elections to develop a page training program for use by participating local boards that includes the duties, responsibilities, and prohibited conduct of pages at polling places; and participating local boards, in collaboration with local school systems, to establish a procedure for the selection of pages. 

Md. Elec. Law § 10-402 (a) There is an Election Day Page Program. (b) The purpose of the Program is to: (1) stimulate the interest of students in the election process; (2) provide assistance to election judges in polling places on election day; and (3) ensure the safe entry and exit of elderly voters and voters with disabilities from polling places. (c) The State Board: (1) shall develop a page training program for use by participating local boards that includes the duties, responsibilities, and prohibited conduct of pages at a polling place on election day; and (2) may adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of this subtitle. 

Md. Elec. Law § 10-403 (a) (1) A local board may participate in the Program. (2) A participating local board shall implement or use components of the page training program developed by the State Board under § 10–402(c)(1) of this subtitle. (3) A participating local board may request from the State Board a waiver from a requirement established under this subtitle. (b) Each participating local board shall: (1) be responsible for the staffing of and implementation of a page training program; (2) ensure each page receives the required training before election day; and (3) encourage individuals at least 16 years old who apply to the Program to train as an election judge. (c) An individual may not work as a page in a polling place unless the individual has completed the training provided by the local board. (d) Each participating local board, in collaboration with the local school system, shall establish a procedure for the selection of pages by the local board. (e) Each participating local board may recognize and certify community service hours for pages. (f) This section does not require a local board to participate in the Program. 

Md. Elec. Law § 10-404 (a) To qualify as a page, an individual must: (1) be at least 14 years old; (2) apply to the local board in the individual’s county of residence; (3) be available to work at least one full 4–hour shift on election day; and (4) complete the required training before election day. (b) A page may not: (1) engage in any partisan activity while working at a polling place; or (2) handle or touch a marked ballot at any time. (c) A page may work up to two 4–hour shifts at a polling place on election day. (d) Each page shall: (1) serve under the direct supervision of the chief election judges for the assigned polling place; and (2) assist election judges with election day duties, as directed. 

Md. Elec. Law § 10-405 (a) Each page shall take and subscribe to a written oath. (b) The signed oath, when returned to the local board, shall constitute the commission of the position of election day page. (c) Each local board shall prescribe a form for the combined oath and commission required under this section. 

Massachusetts

Citation: Mass. Gen. Laws Ann. ch. 51, § 26A 

Effective: 2018 

The state secretary will establish a non-partisan high school voter challenge program to promote voter registration. High school students may serve as voter outreach coordinators.  

Mass. Gen. Laws Ann. ch. 51, § 26A (a) The state secretary, in consultation with the commissioner of elementary and secondary education and the board of elementary and secondary education, shall establish a non-partisan high school voter challenge program and shall promulgate regulations to implement the program in participating high schools in the commonwealth; provided, however, that the regulations shall identify registration time periods that allow eligible students to participate in all municipal and state elections, including primary elections. (b) Superintendents of schools shall ensure that each voter challenge program implemented in their districts provide opportunities for outreach and for all eligible students to register or pre-register to vote on any participating high school campus. An enrolled high school student may apply to serve as a voter outreach coordinator or be selected to serve as a voter outreach coordinator by a peer nomination process. 

Citation: Mass. Gen. Laws Ann. ch. 51 § 42, § 47A 

Effective: 2014  

Individuals who are 16 years of age may pre-register to vote.  

Mass. Gen. Law Ann. ch. 51 § 42 Registration as a voter shall be by affidavit of registration made in conformity with the requirements of this chapter by any person at least 16 years of age or older. 

Mass. Gen. Law Ann. ch. 51 § 47A If, after examination of an affidavit of registration, it appears to the registrars that the person has all the qualifications to be registered as a voter except that of age and the person has obtained the age of 16, then they shall enter the person's name in the current annual register of voters with the designation “pre-registrant” or other term or code as specified by the state secretary. The designation shall be removed when the person, on or before the day of the next preliminary, primary, special or general election or town meeting, attains full age. No pre-registrant shall be allowed to vote until the pre-registrant obtains full age unless otherwise permitted by law. 

Citation: Mass. Gen. Laws Ann. ch. 51, § 42C 

Effective: 1988 

Cities and towns that accept this section shall receive voter education and voluntary registration sessions as an educational assembly for all seniors at each public, private and vocational high school for one day between April 1 and May 15. 

Mass. Gen. Laws Ann. ch. 51, § 42C In any city or town which accepts the provisions of this section, voter education and voluntary registration sessions shall be held by the registrars, assistant registrars or election commissioners one day each year between the first day of April and the fifteenth day of May in each public, private and vocational high school in their cities and towns. Said sessions shall take place as part of an educational assembly for all seniors. A registrar or assistant registrar at a session held pursuant to the provisions of this section may receive affidavits of registration from registrants who reside in any other city or town of the commonwealth. The registrars shall forthwith transmit any such completed affidavits of registration to the registrars of the city or town where the registrant claims to reside, and said registrars shall receive such affidavits as provided in sections forty-six to forty-seven B, inclusive. This section shall take effect upon its acceptance by any city or town. 

Citation: Mass. Gen. Laws Ann. ch. 51, § 42D 

Effective: 1977 

Registrars or election commissioners may hold registration sessions at a regional high school, college, or university. 

Mass. Gen. Laws Ann. ch. 51, § 42D The registrars or election commissioners may hold registration sessions in any regional high school, college or university, in any city or town in the commonwealth where there are persons entitled to be registered in their city or town who are regularly gathered there by reason of education or employment. 

Citation: Mass. Gen. Laws Ann. ch. 51, § 42E 

Effective: 1993 

All high schools and vocational schools must make voter registration forms available at all locations where students may register for classes. These locations must be published with the annual course listing or in another schoolwide publication. The school must publicize the availability of voter registration forms.  

Mass. Gen. Laws Ann. ch. 51, § 42E All public and independent colleges, universities, high schools and vocational schools shall make available affidavit of voter registration forms at all locations where students may register for classes. Such locations shall be published along with the annual course listing for students or in some other schoolwide publication. Every such school shall publicize the availability of such voter registration affidavit forms within the school. 

Citation: Mass. Gen. Laws Ann. ch. 54, § 11B 

Effective: 1997 

Up to two qualified 16- or 17-year-old students may serve as election officers. 

Mass. Gen. Laws Ann. ch. 54, § 11B Not more than 2 such election officers may be appointed who: (1) are 16 or 17 years of age; (2) are residents of the commonwealth; (3) are United States citizens when appointed; (4) are able to speak, read and write the English language; (5) have provided a letter from a parent or guardian giving permission for them to serve as election officers; (6) have provided a letter from their school principal giving permission for them to be absent from school to serve as election officers if the election or a training will take place when school is in session or, if home schooled, have provided a copy of the document indicating approval to be home schooled; and (7) agree to attend required training sessions. If an election officer under this paragraph attends a school that encourages or requires community service, serving as an election officer may be considered a community service activity. In no case shall a person 16 or 17 years of age serve as an election officer on the day of an election for more than the number of hours permitted for such a person to work pursuant to section 66 of chapter 149. 

Citation: Mass. Gen. Laws Ann. Ch. 71, § 2 

Effective: 

All public schools much teach required standards of history and social science, including historical trends in voter registration and the importance of participating in the electoral process, to promote civic service and prepare students for the duties of citizenship. 

Mass. Gen. Laws Ann. Ch. 71, § 2 (a) In all public schools, history of the United States of America and social science, including civics, shall be taught as required subjects to promote civic service and a greater knowledge thereof and to prepare students, morally and intellectually, for the duties of citizenship. Instruction within the history and social science academic standards required in section 1D of chapter 69 shall include: (i) history of the United States of America; (ii) the Constitution of the United States, including the Bill of Rights; (iii) the Declaration of Independence; (iv) the constitution of the commonwealth; (v) local history and government; (vi) the function and composition of the branches of local, state and federal government; (vii) the roles and responsibilities of a citizen in a democracy; (viii) the development of skills to access, analyze and evaluate written and digital media as it relates to history and civics; (ix) community diversity and historical trends in voter registration and civic participation relative to disenfranchised voter populations; (x) opportunities to identify and debate issues relative to power, economic status and the common good in democracy; and (xi) a program relating to the flag of the United States of America including, but not limited to, proper etiquette and the correct use and display of the flag, the importance of participation in the electoral process and the provisions of 4 U.S.C. sections 7 to 9, inclusive, and 36 U.S.C. section 301. 

Michigan

Citation: Mich. Comp. Laws § 168.492 

Effective: 2018 

An individual who fulfills other registration requirements may register to vote at 17.5 years of age. 

Mich. Comp. Laws § 168.492 Each individual who has the following qualifications of an elector is entitled to register as an elector in the township or city in which he or she resides. The individual must be a citizen of the United States; not less than 17-1/2 years of age; a resident of this state; and a resident of the township or city. 

Citation: Mich. Comp. Laws § 168.677 

Effective: 1995 

A person who is 16 or 17 years old can be appointed to the election board, but at least 3 election board members must be appointed before a minor is allowed to join.  

Mich. Comp. Laws § 168.677 (4) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection and subject to subsection (5), a person who is 16 or 17 years of age may be appointed to a board of election inspectors. Before a person may be appointed under this subsection, the first 3 members of the board required to be appointed under section 672 must meet the requirements of subsections (1) to (3). A person who is appointed under this subsection must meet the requirements of subsections (1) to (3) other than being a qualified and registered elector of this state. A person who is appointed under this subsection is not eligible to be designated as chairperson of the board under section 674. (5) If a person seeking appointment to a board of election inspectors under subsection (4) is attending a K-12 school and if an election falls on a school day, the person shall provide to the clerk, along with the application filed under subsections (1) and (2), a written document from his or her school specifically acknowledging that person's application for appointment to the board of election inspectors and specifically excusing that person from school on the date of service, if the appointment is made. 

Minnesota

Citation: Minn. Stat. § 201.1611 

Effective: 1991 

Schools must provide voter registration forms to students at least one time.  

Minn. Stat. § 201.1611 Subd 1. Forms. All school districts shall make available voter registration applications each May and September to all students registered as students of the school district who will be eligible to vote at the next election after those months. A school district has no obligation to provide voter registration applications to students who participate in a postsecondary education option program or who otherwise reside in the district but do not attend a school operated by the district. A school district fulfills its obligation to a student under this section if it provides a voter registration application to the student one time. The forms must contain spaces for the information required in section 201.071, subdivision 1, and applicable rules of the secretary of state. The institutions and school districts may request these forms from the secretary of state. Institutions shall consult with their campus student government in determining the most effective means of distributing the forms and in seeking to facilitate election day registration of students under section 201.061, subdivision 3. School districts must advise students that completion of the voter registration application is not a school district requirement. Subd. 2. Student voter registration. A copy of each completed voter registration form must be sent to the county auditor of the county in which the voter maintains residence or to the secretary of state as soon as possible. All completed voter registration forms must be forwarded no later than 21 days before the general election. 

Citation: Minn. Stat. § 204B.19 

Effective: 1991 

A high school student who is at least 16 years of age can serve as a trainee election judge.  

Minn. Stat. § 204B.19 (6) High school students. Notwithstanding any other requirements of this section, a student enrolled in a high school in Minnesota or who is in a home school in compliance with sections 120A.22 and 120A.24, who has attained the age of 16 is eligible to be appointed as a without party affiliation trainee election judge in the county in which the student resides, or a county adjacent to the county in which the student resides. The student must meet qualifications for trainee election judges specified in rules of the secretary of state. A student appointed as a trainee election judge may be excused from school attendance during the hours that the student is serving as a trainee election judge if the student submits a written request signed and approved by the student's parent or guardian to be absent from school and a certificate from the appointing authority stating the hours during which the student will serve as a trainee election judge to the principal of the school at least ten days prior to the election. Students shall not serve as trainee election judges after 10:00 p.m. Notwithstanding section 177.24 to the contrary, trainee election judges may be paid not less than two-thirds of the minimum wage for a large employer. The principal of the school may approve a request to be absent from school conditioned on acceptable academic performance at the time of service as a trainee election judge. 

Mississippi

Citation: Miss. Code. Ann. §23-15-11 

Effective: 1972 

Any person who will be 18 years old on or before the next general election may vote in the primary election even though the person has not reached his or her 18th birthday at the time of the primary election. 

Miss. Code. Ann. §23-15-11 Every inhabitant of this state, except persons adjudicated to be non compos mentis, who is a citizen of the United States of America, eighteen (18) years old and upwards, who has resided in this state for thirty (30) days and for thirty (30) days in the county in which he or she seeks to vote, and for thirty (30) days in the incorporated municipality in which he or she seeks to vote, and who has been duly registered as an elector under Section 23-15-33, and who has never been convicted of vote fraud or of any crime listed in Section 241, Mississippi Constitution of 1890, shall be a qualified elector in and for the county, municipality and voting precinct of his or her residence, and shall be entitled to vote at any election upon compliance with Section 23-15-563. If the thirtieth day to register before an election falls on a Sunday or legal holiday, the registration applications submitted on the business day immediately following the Sunday or legal holiday shall be accepted and entered in the Statewide Elections Management System for the purpose of enabling voters to vote in the next election. Any person who will be eighteen (18) years of age or older on or before the date of the general election and who is duly registered to vote not less than thirty (30) days before the primary election associated with the general election, may vote in the primary election even though the person has not reached his or her eighteenth birthday at the time that the person seeks to vote at the primary election. No others than those specified in this section shall be entitled, or shall be allowed, to vote at any election. 

Citation: Miss. Code. Ann. § 23-15-37 

Effective: 2001 

Each fall and spring the county registrar should distribute mail-in voter registration forms and voter education to all public high schools with enough time for the students who will be 18 by the general election to be able to vote in the next primary or general election. 

Miss. Code. Ann. § 23-15-37 (5) (a) In the fall and spring of each year the registrar of each county shall furnish all public schools with mail-in voter registration applications. The applications shall be provided in a reasonable time to enable those students who will be eighteen (18) years of age before a general election to be able to vote in the primary and general elections. (b) Each public school district shall permit access to all public schools of this state for the county registrar or the county registrar's deputy to register persons who are eligible to vote and to provide voter education. 

Citation: Miss. Code. Ann. § 23-15-47 

Effective: 1991 

The Secretary of State must give mail-in voter registration forms to all public schools and each private school that requests them. 

Miss. Code. Ann. § 23-15-47 (4) (a) The Secretary of State shall prepare and furnish without charge the necessary forms for application for voter registration by mail to each county registrar, municipal clerk, all public schools, each private school that requests such applications, and all public libraries. 

Citation: Miss. Code Ann. § 23-15-240 

Effective: 2002  

Students who are at least 16 years of age and at least a junior or senior in high school may serve as student interns during elections.  

Miss. Code Ann. § 23-15-240 (1) The officials in charge of the election in a county or municipality may, in their discretion, appoint not more than two (2) students for each precinct to serve as student interns during elections. To be appointed a student intern a student must: (a) Be recommended by a principal or other school official, or the person responsible for the student's legitimate home instruction program; (b) Be at least sixteen (16) years of age at the time of the election for which the appointment is made; (c) Be a resident of the county or municipality for which the appointment is made; (d) Be enrolled in a public high school, an accredited private high school or a legitimate home instruction program and be classified as a junior or senior or its equivalent, or be enrolled in a junior college or a college or university; and (e) Meet any additional qualifications considered necessary by the officials in charge of the election in the county or municipality. (2) (a) The duties of the student interns appointed pursuant to this section shall be determined by the officials in charge of the election in the county or municipality; however, the duties shall not include: (i) Determining the qualifications of a voter in case a voter is challenged; (ii) The discharge of any duties related to affidavit ballots; (iii) The operation and maintenance of any voting equipment; (iv) Any duties normally assigned to a bailiff; or (v) The tallying of votes. (b) Student interns shall at all times be under the supervision of the poll managers of the election while performing their duties at precincts. (3) Before performing any duties, student interns shall attend all required training for poll managers of the county or municipality and any additional training considered necessary by the officials in charge of the election in the county or municipality. (4) As used in this section “officials in charge of the election” means the county or municipal executive committee, as appropriate, in primary elections and the county or municipal election commission, as appropriate, in all other elections. 

Missouri

Citation: Mo. Ann. Stat. § 115.104 

Effective: 1994 

A qualified full-time student age 15 to 17 may aid and assist any election judge by becoming a Missouri Youth Election Participant. To prepare students for this, each high school may offer a course in the democratic electoral process concentrated on Missouri election law. 

Mo. Ann. Stat. § 115.104 2. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, any person more than fifteen years of age but less than eighteen years of age who is in full-time attendance in a school of this state may aid and assist any election judge or election authority authorized or appointed pursuant to this chapter. Such person shall be known as “Missouri Youth Election Participants” and shall, before entering upon the duties related to an election conducted pursuant to this chapter, take and subscribe the following oath, which shall be signed by the participant and an original copy thereof delivered to the election authority… 3. If, in the opinion of the chief administrative officer of any high school of this state, the appointment of students in the tenth, eleventh or twelfth grade as Missouri youth election participants would benefit those persons involved and the election process, the officer may nominate such persons as participants. The chief administrative officer shall establish the academic and behavioral standards for qualification, but persons nominated shall, at a minimum: (1) Have demonstrated age-appropriate academic ability and demeanor; (2) Be a person of good repute who can speak, read and write the English language; and (3) Not be related within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity to any person whose name appears on the ballot, except that no participant shall be disqualified if related within such degree to an unopposed candidate. 4. The chief administrative officer of the school shall transmit a written list of nominees to the election authority of the jurisdiction at least sixty days prior to the election. If, in the opinion of the election authority, the appointment of participants nominated pursuant to this section would not be disruptive to the election process, the election authority may appoint any number of participants for each polling place or place where votes are to be counted within its jurisdiction. Such appointment shall include a schedule of the time during which the participant is expected to serve. Nothing in this section shall be construed to mandate the appointment of any participant if, in the sole discretion of the election authority, the presence of such participants in any polling place or place where votes are counted would be disruptive to the orderly election process. 5. Subject to the provisions of this section and under the direct supervision of the election authority or election judges, each participant may assist in the administration of the polling place, assist in the counting of votes, assist in the execution of any administrative duty of any election authority or election judge, and perform any other election-day-related duty as instructed. 6. Each election authority and election judge appointed pursuant to this chapter shall have the authority to direct any Missouri youth election participant in his duties and to compel compliance with law. Each election authority may, in its sole discretion, substitute participants on or before election day. Each election authority or election judge shall have the authority at any time to take any action necessary to remove any participant from any polling place or place where votes are being counted. It shall be the duty of any law enforcement officer, if requested by the election authority or judges of election, to exclude any participant from the polling place or place where votes are being counted. 7. In order to best prepare students for duty as Missouri youth election participants pursuant to this section, each high school of this state may offer a course of instruction in the democratic electoral process which concentrates upon the election law of this state. The high school may require successful completion of such a course prior to qualification for nomination as a Missouri youth election participant. 

Citation: Mo. Rev. Stat § 115.133 

Effective: 1993 

Individuals that are 17½ years old are allowed to pre-register to vote in any election that is held after their 18th birthday.  

Mo. Rev. Stat § 115.133 (1) Except as provided in subsection 2 of this section, any citizen of the United States who is a resident of the State of Missouri and seventeen years and six months of age or older shall be entitled to register and to vote in any election which is held on or after his eighteenth birthday. 

Citation: Mo. Ann. Stat. § 115.143, § 115.145 

Effective: 1977 

Each county clerk or board of election commissioners may appoint at least one staff member of each public, private, vocational, and technical high school a deputy registration official, with the concurrence of the top administrator at each school. Each county clerk or board of election commissioners must instruct deputy registrars of their duties and supply deputy registrars with registration forms and other necessary supplies. Deputy registrars of schools may designate the time and date for additional voter registration and publicize the event, but it must be located in their school. 

Mo. Ann. Stat. § 115.143 1. Each election authority may appoint persons regularly employed in the office of the clerk of any city, town or village, any department of revenue fee office, or any school, library or other tax-supported public agency in its jurisdiction as deputy registration officials. 2. Each election authority may appoint any number of additional persons to serve as deputy registration officials. Each such deputy shall be a registered voter in the jurisdiction of the appointing election authority. 3. Each election authority may appoint, with the concurrence of the top administrator of each school, at least one staff person or instructor as a deputy registration official in each school that chooses to participate in voter registration. As used in this subsection, the term “school” means any school building in this state in which grades nine through twelve or grades ten through twelve are taught, including public, nonpublic, vocational and vocational-technical school buildings.  

Mo. Ann. Stat. § 115.145 Each election authority shall have the following duties with respect to registration: (1) To conduct registration at its office or offices throughout the entire year, including any four-week period prior to an election for the purpose of registration of persons for subsequent elections, on all usual business days and during its regular office hours in the manner required by this chapter; (2) To instruct and direct each deputy registration official in the performance of his or her duties including those agencies mandated and optional, including as optional any institution of higher education located in the state, under the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 and to supply each deputy with the proper registration forms and other necessary supplies; (3) To designate the times, dates, and places or areas for additional voter registration by any deputy appointed pursuant to subsection 2 of section 115.143, and to publicize the times, dates, and places or areas of such registration in any manner reasonably calculated to inform the public; provided, that the place or area for voter registration by deputies appointed under subsection 3 of section 115.143 shall be located in the school for which the deputy has been appointed. (4) Retain all voter registration records and registration list maintenance records for a minimum of two years. The election authority shall compile data from the records as may be necessary for compliance with the National Voter Registration Act of 1993; (5) Number or use another system of identifying the original agency of the voter registration application. 

Citation: Mo. Rev. Stat § 115.106, § 115.409 

Effective: 1996 

Persons admitted to the polling place for the purposes of administering or participating in a simulated youth election must swear to make no statement regarding the state of the county, nor can they interfere with the orderly process of voting. 

Mo. Rev. Stat § 115.106 Persons administering youth election admitted to polling place — oath — misconduct, removal for. — 1.  Before being permitted to enter the polling place, each person designated by the election authority to administer a simulated youth election shall take the following oath: I do solemnly swear that I will make no statement nor give away information of any kind tending in any way to show the state of the count prior to the close of the polls on election day. Sworn and subscribed to before me this ____ day of _____, 20______ Simulated Youth Election Administrator___________ Judge of Election. 2.  If any person admitted to the polling place to administer or participate in a simulated youth election interferes with the orderly process of voting, or is guilty of misconduct or any law violation, the election judges shall ask the person to leave the polling place or cease the interference.  If the interference continues, the election judges shall notify the election authority, which shall take such action as it deems necessary.  It shall be the duty of the police, if requested by the election authority or judges of election, to exclude any such person from the polling place or the place where votes are being counted. 

Mo. Rev. Stat § 115.409 Who may be admitted to polling place. — Except election authority personnel, election judges, watchers and challengers appointed pursuant to section 115.105 or 115.107, law enforcement officials at the request of election officials or in the line of duty, minor children under the age of eighteen accompanying an adult who is in the process of voting, international observers who have registered as such with the election authority, persons designated by the election authority to administer a simulated youth election for persons ineligible to vote because of their age, members of the news media who present identification satisfactory to the election judges and who are present only for the purpose of bona fide news coverage except as provided in subdivision (18) of section 115.637, provided that such coverage does not disclose how any voter cast the voter's ballot on any question or candidate or in the case of a primary election on which party ballot they voted or does not interfere with the general conduct of the election as determined by the election judges or election authority, and registered voters who are eligible to vote at the polling place, no person shall be admitted to a polling place. 

Montana

Citation: Mont. Code Ann. §1 3-22-102, § 13-22-103, § 13-22-104, § 13-22-105, § 13-22-106 

Effective: 1991 

Created a youth voting program where participating schools’ students receive education about the electoral process, the importance of voting, and current issues. The students also participate in mock elections by casting ballots at regular polling places or youth voting locations. 

Mont. Code Ann. § 13-22-102 The intent of the legislature is to establish a nonpartisan youth voting program that will: (1) provide the youth of Montana with practical experience in the democratic process; (2) increase the likelihood that Montana's youth will participate in the process as adult voters and encourage the participation of more parents in elections; (3) not benefit any elected official, candidate for elective office, political party, campaign for or against any ballot issue, or any proposed ballot issue attempting to qualify for placement on a ballot; and (4) be entirely funded through private donations. 

Mont. Code Ann. § 13-22-103 1) There is a youth voting program for minors to provide young Montanans direct experience in the voting process. (2) The secretary of state, in consultation with the superintendent of public instruction, shall solicit county election administrators and schools throughout the state to participate in the youth voting program. The secretary of state and the superintendent of public instruction shall confer with the participating county election administrators and county superintendents of schools and, from among interested schools, shall facilitate the participation of as many schools in the program as available funds and other circumstances allow. A designated school may, at any time, decline to participate by notifying the secretary of state in writing. 

Mont. Code Ann. § 13-22-104 (1) The secretary of state and the superintendent of public instruction shall compile a program and establish a process whereby: (a) students are instructed on the electoral process, the importance of voting, and how to mark and cast a ballot; (b) students are educated about current issues in a manner appropriate for each grade level involved; (c) students cast facsimile or mock ballots at a location designated as a youth voting location or while accompanying an eligible voter to a polling place during regular elections; and (d) ballots cast by students at elections are counted and the results are made available to all participating schools. (2) The program must be presented to participating schools in a nonpartisan, nonbiased, and informative manner.  

Mont. Code Ann. § 13-22-105 Participating schools shall, in a timely manner, provide to students and their parents or guardians instruction and guidance on how to participate in the program, youth voter registration procedures and deadlines, a list of candidates and issues, and polling and balloting procedures.  

Mont. Code Ann. § 13-22-106 (1) The secretary of state and the superintendent of public instruction shall work with participating schools or county election officials as necessary, to provide that: (a) facsimile or mock ballots are distributed to locations designated as youth voting locations; (b) participating students accompanied by an eligible voter are allowed to cast ballots in the youth election at regular polling places; and (c) student ballots are counted and the results are announced to the participating schools. (2) The provisions of this section must be carried out in a manner that will not interfere with the normal voting process or established polling place procedures.  

Nebraska

Citation: Neb. Const. art. VI-1 

Effective: 1994 

A person is considered an elector if they will be 18 years of age by the date of the next general election (on or after the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November).  

Neb. Const. art. VI-1 Qualifications of electors. Every citizen of the United States who has attained the age of eighteen years on or before the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November and has resided within the state and the county and voting precinct for the terms provided by law shall, except as provided in section 2 of this article, be an elector for the calendar year in which such citizen has attained the age of eighteen years and for all succeeding calendar years. 

Citation: Neb. Rev. Stat. § 32-223 

Effective: 1994 

A student who is at least 16 years of age may serve as an election clerk under the supervision of the election commissioner.  

Neb. Rev. Stat. § 32-223 (4) The election commissioner may appoint a person who is at least sixteen years old but is not eligible to register to vote as a clerk of election. Such clerk of election shall meet the requirements of subsection (3) of section 32-221, except that such clerk shall not be required to be a registered voter. No more than one clerk of election appointed under this subsection shall serve at any precinct. A clerk of election appointed under this subsection shall be considered a registered voter who is not affiliated with a political party for purposes of this section. 

Nevada

Citation: Nev. Rev. Stat. § 293.2175 

Effective: 2020 

High school students can be appointed as a trainee for the position of election board officer as long as the pupil is at least 16 years of age and has no partisan affiliation.  

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 293.2175 1. The county clerk may appoint a pupil as a trainee for the position of election board officer. To qualify for such an appointment, the pupil must be: (a) A United States citizen, a resident of Nevada and a resident of the county in which the pupil serves; (b) Enrolled in high school; and (c) At the time of service, at least 16 years of age. 2.The county clerk may only appoint a pupil as a trainee if: (a)The pupil is appointed without party affiliation; (b) The county clerk sends the pupil a certificate stating the date and hours that the pupil will act as a trainee; (c) At least 20 days before the election in which the pupil will act as a trainee, the principal of the high school or the pupil’s assigned school counselor receives the county clerk’s certificate and a written request signed by the pupil’s parent or guardian to be excused from school for the time specified in the certificate; (d) The principal of the high school or the assigned school counselor of the pupil approves the pupil’s request; and (e) The pupil attends the training class required by NRS 293B.260. 3. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the county clerk may assign a trainee such duties as the county clerk deems appropriate. The county clerk shall not require the trainee to perform those duties later than 10 p.m. or any applicable curfew, whichever is earlier. 4. The county clerk may compensate a trainee for service at the same rate fixed for election board officers generally. 

Citation: Nev. Rev. Stat. § 293.4855 

Effective: 2020 

17-year-olds may pre-register to vote and will be deemed a registered voter on their 18th birthday.  

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 293.4855 1. Every citizen of the United States who is 17 years of age or older but less than 18 years of age and has continuously resided in this State for 30 days or longer may preregister to vote by any of the methods available for a person to register to vote pursuant to this title. A person eligible to preregister to vote is deemed to be preregistered to vote upon the submission of a completed application to preregister to vote. 2. If a person preregisters to vote, he or she shall be deemed to be a registered voter on his or her 18th birthday unless: (a) The person’s preregistration has been cancelled as described in subsection 7; or (b) Except as otherwise provided in NRS 293D.210, on the person’s 18th birthday, he or she does not satisfy the voter eligibility requirements set forth in NRS 293.485. 3. The county clerk shall issue to a person who is deemed to be registered to vote pursuant to subsection 2 a voter registration card as soon as practicable after the person is deemed to be registered to vote, but the issuance of a voter registration card to the person is not a prerequisite to vote in an election. 4. On the date that a person who preregisters to vote is deemed to be registered to vote, his or her application to preregister to vote is deemed to be his or her application to register to vote.  

New Hampshire

Citation: N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 658:7-a 

Effective: 1997  

An individual who is at least 17 years of age may be appointed as an assistant election official.  

N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 658:7-a An assistant election official appointed as provided in RSA 658:7 shall be at least 17 years of age as of the date on which such official initiates performance of the duties of office. 

New Jersey

Citation: N.J. Stat. Ann. § 18A:36-27, N.J. Admin. Code § 6A:32-14.1, § 6A:32-14.2 

Effective: 2009; 2015 

The Board of education of each school district and appropriate officials of nonpublic schools must provide a voter registration form, a summary of voter registration eligibility requirements, and material describing the role of a citizen and the importance of voting to each eligible high school student before graduation. That individual must sign a statement of assurance to affirm the distribution of these materials no later than June 30 of each year. 

N.J. Stat. Ann. § 18A:36-27 1. The board of education of each school district and the appropriate school officials in each nonpublic school shall provide a voter registration form, a summary of voter registration eligibility requirements, and material describing the role of a citizen and the importance of voting to each eligible high school pupil prior to the graduation date for the school year. This material shall be nonpartisan and conform to the provisions of N.J.S 18A:42-4 

N.J. Admin. Code § 6A:32-14.1 District boards of education, appropriate school official(s) in nonpublic schools with high schools, and private agencies that provide educational services to high schools by means of public funds shall provide to each eligible high school student prior to the school year's graduation date a voter registration form, a summary of voter registration eligibility requirements, and materials describing the role of a citizen and the importance of voting, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:36-27. 

N.J. Admin. Code § 6A:32-14.2 The chief school administrator of a public school district, the administrator of a nonpublic school with high schools by means of public funds shall sign a statement of assurance and submit it to the executive county superintendent no later than June 30 each year. The statement of assurance shall affirm the distribution of voter registration forms, a summary of voter registration eligibility requirements, and materials describing the role of a citizen and the importance of voting.  

Citation: N.J. Stat. Ann. § 19:6-2 

Effective: 1996  

An individual who is at least 16 years of age and is enrolled in or has graduated from a secondary school or has a GED may serve on the election board, with the written permission of a parent or guardian.  

N.J. Stat. Ann. § 19:6-2 a. The following persons may apply in writing to the county board, on a form prepared and furnished by the county board, for appointment as a member of a district board of any municipality in the county in which he or she resides: (3) a United States citizen and resident of this State who is 16 or 17 years of age, attends a secondary school and has the written permission of his or her parent or guardian to serve as a member of the board if appointed; or (4) a United States citizen and resident of this State who is 16 or 17 years of age and has graduated from a secondary school or has passed a general educational development test, GED, and has the written permission of his or her parent or guardian to serve as a member of the board if appointed. 

Citation: N.J. Stat. Ann. § 19:31-5 

Effective: 2015 

An individual who is 17 years of age is able to pre-register to vote but may not vote until their 18th birthday. 

N.J. Stat. Ann. § 19:31-5 An individual who is 17-years of age is able to pre-register to vote.  

Each person, who is at least 17 years of age at the time he or she applies for registration, who resides in the district in which he or she expects to vote, who will be of the age of 18 years or more on or before the first election in which he or she expects to vote, who is a citizen of the United States, and who, if he or she continues to reside in the district until that election, will at the time have fulfilled all the requirements as to length of residence to qualify him or her as a legal voter, shall, unless otherwise disqualified, be entitled to be registered in such district. Each 17-year-old registrant shall be designated in the Statewide voter registration system as temporarily ineligible to vote until the registrant's 18th birthday. 

New Mexico

Citation: N.M. Stat. § 1-2-7

Effective: 2019

Up to two sixteen- and seventeen-year-olds may be appointed to service on an election board.

N.M. Stat. § 1-2-7 Election board; qualification of members; qualification of presiding judges; qualification of minors. D. A county clerk may appoint not more than two minors to serve on an election board under the direct supervision of the presiding judge. A minor appointed by the county clerk shall: (1) meet the qualifications set forth in Subsection A of this section, except the minor need not be eligible to vote; (2) be sixteen or seventeen years of age at the time of the election in which the minor is serving as a member of a precinct board; (3) be a citizen at the time of the election for which the minor will be serving as a member of an election board; (4) have the approval of the minor's parent or legal guardian, unless the minor is emancipated; (5) attend at least one school of instruction in accordance with the provisions of Section 1-2-17 NMSA 1978; and (6) be appointed to an election board in the county in which the minor's parent or legal guardian resides, in accordance with the provisions of Section 1-2-11 NMSA 1978. E. A minor appointed to an election board shall not serve as the presiding judge or as an election judge.

Citation: N.M. Stat. § 1-4-2

Effective: 2019

Any qualified resident can submit a voter registration and will become a voter on the qualified resident’s eighteenth birthday. The qualified voter can participate in a primary election when the qualified resident will turn 18 on or before the day of the general election.

N.M. Stat. § 1-4-2  B.  If a qualified resident submits a voter registration certificate in accordance with the provisions of Subsection A of this section and pursuant to the requirements of Section 1-4-8 NMSA 1978, the qualified resident shall: (1)       become a voter upon the qualified resident's eighteenth birthday; 2)       be considered a voter for the purpose of participation in a statewide or special election where the qualified resident will turn eighteen on or before the day of the statewide or special election; or (3)       be considered a voter for the purpose of participation in a political party primary election where the qualified resident will turn eighteen on or before the day of the general election immediately succeeding the primary election. C.  Any resident of New Mexico who may be a qualified elector upon the resident's eighteenth birthday, who obtains a license, permit or identification card from the motor vehicle division of the taxation and revenue department and who has not submitted a voter registration certificate pursuant to Subsection A of this section shall be sent a notification by the secretary of state advising the resident of the requirements and opportunity to register to vote and a uniform resource locator for a web page where the resident may submit a voter registration certificate online.  When applicable, a notification shall be sent to a resident described in this subsection within the sixty days following the resident's seventeenth birthday, when the resident obtained a license, permit or identification card from the motor vehicle division prior to the resident's seventeenth birthday and within thirty days prior to the resident's eighteenth birthday.

New York

Citation: N.Y. Elec. Law § 3-400 

Effective: 1995 

A student who is at least 17 years of age and enrolled in a school may be appointed as an election inspector or poll clerk.  

N.Y. Elec. Law § 3-400 (8) A person seventeen years of age who is enrolled in a school district and fulfilling the requirements of section thirty-two hundred seven-a of the education law shall be eligible to be appointed as, and to perform the duties of, an election inspector or poll clerk as provided in this chapter. 

Citation: N.Y.  Elec. Law § 5-210, § 5-507 

Effective: 2018 

16-year-olds may pre-register to vote. Local boards of education are required to adopt policies to promote student voter registration and pre-registration. 

N.Y. Elec. Law § 5-210 5(g) Notice that the applicant must be a citizen of the United States, is at least sixteen years old when he or she submits an application to register to vote which will be effective for elections occurring on or after the applicant turns eighteen years of age and a resident of the county or city to which application is made. 

N.Y. Elec. Law § 5-507 1. Pre-registration. A person who is at least sixteen years of age and who is otherwise qualified to register to vote may pre-register to vote, and shall be automatically registered upon reaching the age of eligibility as provided by this chapter. 2. Encouragement of student voter registration and pre-registration. Local boards of education are required to adopt policies to promote student voter registration and pre-registration. These policies may include collaboration with county boards of elections to conduct voter registration and pre-registration in high schools. Completion and submission of voter registration or pre-registration forms shall not be a course requirement or graded assignment for students. 

Citation: N.Y. Elec. Law § 8-106 

Effective: 2006  

In order to facilitate education and foster early participation in the electoral process, high school students may enter polling places at designated times to observe election activities and schools may request to access a spare voting machine for educational use.  

N.Y. Elec. Law § 8-106 1. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of law, in order to facilitate education and participation in the electoral process, a number of students in grades eight to twelve, inclusive, not to exceed four at any one time in any polling place, may enter any polling place between twelve o'clock noon and three o'clock p.m. for the purpose of observing the activities taking place therein and, when allowed by the inspectors, for the  purposes of subdivision two of this section, provided there is proper parental or teacher supervision present, and provided further, any such student who in any way interferes with  the orderly process of voting shall not be allowed to remain in the polling place. 2. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of law, each board of elections may provide a spare voting machine inside any polling place or in a room adjacent to any polling place for the educational use of students in grades eight to twelve, inclusive. Each such board shall establish procedures for the use of the machine including, but not limited to, location and preparation of the machine and duties of the machine tenders. At least four weeks prior to an election, each board intending to provide a voting booth for the educational use of students shall notify each school district within its jurisdiction of the location of the spare voting machine. Upon such notice, but not later than two weeks prior to such election, each school district intending to utilize the spare voting machine made available for educational use as herein provided shall notify the board of such intention. Any ballot used in connection with such spare voting machine shall be in the form prescribed by section 7-118 of this chapter for  facsimile or sample ballots. 3.  Notwithstanding  any  inconsistent  provision  of law, in order to facilitate education and foster early  participation  in  the  electoral process,  any  persons  younger  than the age of sixteen on election day shall be permitted to  accompany  a  duly  qualified  voting  parent  or guardian  into  the  appropriate  polling place and voting booth for the specific purpose of observing that parent or guardian vote, and for  the general purpose of observing the electoral process. Any voting parent or guardian permitting a child to accompany them while voting shall provide appropriate supervision so as not to allow a child to interfere with the orderly process of voting. 

North Carolina

Citation N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 115C-47 

Effective: 2019 

Local boards of education are encouraged to collaborate with county board of election to conduct voter registration in schools.  

N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 115C-47 (59) To Encourage Student Voter Registration. – Local boards of education are encouraged to adopt policies to promote student voter registration. These policies may include collaboration with county boards of elections to conduct voter registration in high schools. Completion and submission of voter registration forms shall not be a course requirement or graded assignment for students. 

Citation: N.C. Gen. State. Ann. § 115C-81.45 

Effective: 2021 

Beginning with students entering 9th grade in 2021-2022 SY, all students are required to take and pass a course on civic literacy, which is encouraged (though not required) to include instruction on the importance of voting, including instruction on voter registration. 

N.C. Gen. State. Ann. § 115C-81.45 (d) (Applicable to students entering the ninth grade in the 2021-2022 school year) Founding Principles of the United States of American and North Carolina: Civic Literacy. - The State Board of Education shall require instruction in civic and citizenship education in the standard course of study for high school social studies through the teaching of a full-credit course that shall be called Founding Principles of the United States of America and North Carolina: Civic Literacy. A passing grade in the course shall be required for graduation from high school. (1a) The course required by subdivision (1) of this subsection shall be solely focused on civics and citizenship education, and shall include at least the following subjects: a. The Creator-endowed inalienable rights of the people. b. Structure of government, separation of powers with checks and balances. c. Frequent and free elections in a representative government. d. Rule of law. e. Equal justice under the law. f. Private property rights. g. Federalism. h. Due process. i. Individual rights as set forth in the Bill of Rights. j. Individual responsibility. k. Constitutional limitations on government power to tax and spend, and prompt payment of public debt. l. Strong defense and supremacy of civil authority over military. m. Peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations, entangling alliances with none. (1b) The State Board of Education is strongly encouraged to include the following components in the course required by subdivision (1) of this subsection: a. That students write to a local, State, or federal elected official about an issue that is important to them. b. Instruction on the importance of voting and otherwise participating in the democratic process, including instruction on voter registration. c. Information about current events and governmental structure. d. Information about the democratic process and how laws are made. 

Citation: N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 163-42.1 

Effective: 2014 

High school students may work as student election assistants and carry some of the same responsibilities as election officials on election day. Applicants must be at least 17 years old and must be in good academic standing with the school where they are enrolled.  

N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 163-42.1 A student of at least 17 years of age at the time of any election or primary in which the student works shall be eligible to be appointed as a student election assistant. To be eligible a student must have all the following qualifications: (1) Be a United States citizen. (2) Be a resident of the county in which the student is appointed. (3) Be enrolled in a secondary educational institution, including a home school as defined in G.S. 115C-563(a), with an exemplary academic record as determined by that institution.(4) Be recommended by the principal or director of the secondary educational institution in which the student is enrolled. (5) Have the consent of a parent, legal custodian, or guardian. The county board of elections may appoint student election assistants, following guidelines which shall be issued by the State Board of Elections. No more than two student election assistants shall be assigned to any voting place. Every student election assistant shall work under the direct supervision of the election judges. The student election assistants shall attend the same training as a precinct assistant, shall be sworn in the same manner as a precinct assistant, and shall be compensated in the same manner as precinct assistants. The county board of elections shall prescribe the duties of a student election assistant, following guidelines which shall be issued by the State Board of Elections. Under no circumstances may students ineligible to register to vote be appointed and act as precinct judges or observers in any election. The date of birth of a student election assistant shall be kept confidential. 

Citation: N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 163-59 

Effective: This clause is under judicial review. According to the state’s Board of Elections,16 year-olds are allowed to vote in primary elections. 

Any person who will become qualified by age to register and vote in the general election for which the primary is held, even though not so qualified by the date of the primary, shall be entitled to register for the primary and general election prior to the primary and then to vote in the primary after being registered. 

N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 163-59 Right to participate or vote in party primary. No person shall be entitled to vote or otherwise participate in the primary election of any political party unless that person complies with all of the following: (1) Is a registered voter. (2) Has declared and has had recorded on the registration book or record the fact that the voter affiliates with the political party in whose primary the voter proposes to vote or participate. (3) Is in good faith a member of that party. Notwithstanding the previous paragraph, any unaffiliated voter who is authorized under G.S. 163-119 may also vote in the primary if the voter is otherwise eligible to vote in that primary except for subdivisions (2) and (3) of the previous paragraph. Any person who will become qualified by age to register and vote in the general election for which the primary is held, even though not so qualified by the date of the primary, shall be entitled to register for the primary and general election prior to the primary and then to vote in the primary after being registered. Such person may register not earlier than 60 days nor later than the last day for making application to register under G.S. 163-82.6(d) prior to the primary. In addition, persons who will become qualified by age to register and vote in the general election for which the primary is held, who do not register during the special period may register to vote after such period as if they were qualified on the basis of age, but until they are qualified by age to vote, they may vote only in primary elections.

Citation: N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 163-82.23 

Effective: 1995 

Every public high school must make voter registration materials available to students and other eligible voters. 

N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 163-82.23 Every public high school shall make available to its students and others who are eligible to register to vote the application forms described in G.S. 163-82.3m, and shall keep a sufficient supply of the forms so that they are always available. A local board of education may, but is not required to, designate high school employees to assist in completing the forms. Only employees who volunteer for this duty may be designated by boards of education.  

North Dakota

Citation: N.D. Cent. Code § 16.1-05-02 

Effective: 1997 

Students of at least 16 years of age who are in good standing at a secondary or higher education school institution or have a GED are able to serve as a poll clerk.  

N.D. Cent. Code § 16.1-05-02 b. A student enrolled in a high school or college in this state who has attained the age of sixteen is eligible to be appointed as a poll clerk if the student possesses the following qualifications: (1) Is a United States citizen or will be a citizen at the time of the election at which the student will be serving as a member of an election board; (2) Is a resident of this state and has resided in the precinct at least thirty days before the election; and (3) Is a student in good standing attending a secondary or higher education institution. c. A student appointed as a poll clerk may be excused from school attendance during the hours that the student is serving as a poll clerk, including training sessions, if the student submits a written request to be absent from school signed and approved by the student's parent or guardian and by the school administrator and a certification from the county auditor stating the hours during which the student will serve. A student excused from school attendance under this subdivision may not be recorded as being absent on any date for which the excuse is operative. No more than two students may serve as poll clerks on an election board. d. An individual who has attained the age of sixteen and has graduated from high school or obtained a general education degree from an accredited educational institution is eligible to be appointed as a poll clerk if the individual meets the qualifications of paragraphs 1 and 2 of subdivision b.

Ohio

Citation: Ohio Rev. Code § 3501.22C  

Effective: 1996 

High School students of at least 17 years of age and enrolled in their senior year of high school may serve as precinct officers at a primary, special, or general election.  

Ohio Rev. Code § 3501.22C (C)(1) A board of elections, in conjunction with the board of education of a city, local, or exempted village school district, the governing authority of a community school established under Chapter 3314. of the Revised Code, or the chief administrator of a nonpublic school may establish a program permitting certain high school students to apply and, if appointed by the board of elections, to serve as precinct officers at a primary, special, or general election. In addition to the requirements established by division (C)(2) of this section, a board of education, governing authority, or chief administrator that establishes a program under this division in conjunction with a board of elections may establish additional criteria that students shall meet to be eligible to participate in that program. (2)(a) To be eligible to participate in a program established under division (C)(1) of this section, a student shall be a United States citizen, a resident of the county, at least seventeen years of age, and enrolled in the senior year of high school. (b) Any student applying to participate in a program established under division (C)(1) of this section, as part of the student's application process, shall declare the student's political party affiliation with the board of elections. (3) No student appointed as a precinct officer pursuant to a program established under division (C)(1) of this section shall be designated as a voting location manager. (4) Any student participating in a program established under division (C)(1) of this section shall be excused for that student's absence from school on the day of an election at which the student is serving as a precinct officer. (D) In any precinct with six or more precinct officers, up to two students participating in a program established under division (C)(1) of this section who are under eighteen years of age may serve as precinct officers. Not more than one precinct officer in any given precinct with fewer than six precinct officers shall be under eighteen years of age. 

Citation: Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 3503.10 

Effective: 1983 

Every public high school and vocational school must provide voter registration forms and assistance with registration. The Secretary of State must submit instructions for implementation to each school, and the board of education must establish a schedule and adhere to the process outlined for assisting with voter registration in schools.   

Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 3503.10 (B) Every designated agency, public high school and vocational school, public library, and office of a county treasurer shall provide in each of its offices or locations voter registration applications and assistance in the registration of persons qualified to register to vote, in accordance with this chapter… (F) The secretary of state shall prepare and transmit written instructions on the implementation of the voter registration program within each designated agency, public high school and vocational school, public library, and office of a county treasurer… (G) If the voter registration activity is part of an in-class voter registration program in a public high school or vocational school, whether prescribed by the secretary of state or independent of the secretary of state, the board of education shall do all of the following: (1) Establish a schedule of school days and hours during these days when the person designated to assist with voter registration shall provide voter registration assistance; (2) Designate a person to assist with voter registration from the public high school's or vocational school's staff; (3) Make voter registration applications and materials available, as outlined in the voter registration program established by the secretary of state pursuant to section 3501.05 of the Revised Code; (4) Distribute the statement, "applying to register or declining to register to vote will not affect or be a condition of your receiving a particular grade in or credit for a school course or class, participating in a curricular or extracurricular activity, receiving a benefit or privilege, or participating in a program or activity otherwise available to pupils enrolled in this school district's schools."; (5) Establish a method by which the voter registration application and other voter registration forms are transmitted to the board of elections within five days after being accepted by the public high school or vocational school. (H) Any person employed by the designated agency, public high school or vocational school, public library, or office of a county treasurer may be designated to assist with voter registration pursuant to this section. The designated agency, public high school or vocational school, public library, or office of a county treasurer shall provide the designated person, and make available such space as may be necessary, without charge to the county or state… (J) This section does not limit any authority a board of education, superintendent, or principal has to allow, sponsor, or promote voluntary election registration programs within a high school or vocational school, including programs in which pupils serve as persons designated to assist with voter registration, provided that no pupil is required to participate.  

Citation: Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 3503.11 

Effective: 1981 

At a primary election every qualified elector who is or will be on the day of the next general election eighteen or more years of age shall be entitled to vote. 

Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 3503.11 At a primary election every qualified elector who is or will be on the day of the next general election eighteen or more years of age, and who is a member of or is affiliated with the political party whose primary election ballot he desires to vote, shall be entitled to vote such ballot at the primary election. 

Oklahoma

Citation: Ok. Stat. § 26-4-103   

Effective: 2019 

Individuals that are 17.5 years of age may pre-register to vote. 

Ok. Stat. § 26-4-103 B. Any person who is at least seventeen (17) years and six (6) months of age, but less than eighteen (18) years of age, may submit a voter registration application as provided by law, and shall be entitled to become a registered voter of the precinct of residence upon his or her eighteenth birthday.  

Oregon

Citation: Or. Rev. Stat. § 247.016 

Effective: 2007 (revised in 2017 to lower age from 17 to 16)  

An individual that is 16 years of age may pre-register to vote but may not vote in an election until they are 18. 

 

Or. Rev. Stat. § 247.016 (1) Subject to this section, an otherwise qualified person who is at least 16 years of age may register to vote. (2) A person who registers to vote under subsection (1) of this section may not vote in an election until the person attains the age of 18 years.  

 

Citation: Or. Rev. Stat. § 329.049 

Effective: 2009 

Schools districts must develop plan to encourage voter registration and voting, including posting links to voter registration sites and making materials related to voting and voter registration readily available to students at public schools.  

Or. Rev. Stat. § 329.049 Plan to encourage voter registration and voting; incorporation into Essential Learning Skills; rules. (1) Each school district that includes a public high school shall adopt a plan to encourage students to register to vote and vote in elections, including but not limited to: (a) Posting a link to the electronic voter registration website maintained by the Secretary of State on the Internet home webpage, if any, of each public high school; and (b) Making materials developed by the Secretary of State relating to voting and voter registration readily available to students at each public high school. (2) The State Board of Education shall by rule incorporate voter registration skills into the Essential Learning Skills. [2009 c.702 §1] 

Citation: Or. Rev. Stat. § 254.068 

Effective: 1991 

County clerks may conduct a simulated election for individuals under 18 for the purpose of encouraging future voter participation. 

Or. Rev. Stat. § 329.049 Simulated election for individuals under 18 years of age. On the date of any election, the county clerk may conduct a simulated election. As used in this section, “simulated election” means a demonstration election held for individuals under 18 years of age for the purpose of encouraging future voter participation. [1991 c.436 §2] 

Pennsylvania

Citation: 25 Penn. Stat. § 1327 

Effective: 2002 

Voter registration materials must be made available in public schools. 

25 Penn. Stat. § 1327 (c)(2) The secretary shall make available for distribution official voter registration applications to public libraries, public schools, State-related institutions of higher education, offices operated by the Department of Revenue, offices operated by the Department of Aging, area agencies on aging, offices operated by the Pennsylvania Game Commission or any of its authorized license-issuing agents, offices operated by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission or any of its issuing agents, and offices that provide unemployment compensation. 

Citation: 25 Penn. Stat. § 2672 

Effective: 2002 

Students may be appointed as clerks or machine inspectors as long as they are at least 17 years old and have an exemplary academic record.  

25 Penn. Stat. § 2672 (b) The county board may appoint students notwithstanding their eligibility to vote to serve as a clerk or machine inspector pursuant to the following: (1) The county board may appoint no more than two students per precinct. (2) The judge of elections shall have direct supervision of the student. (3) The county board may compensate the student. (4) The county board shall comply with all applicable Federal and State laws. (5) The student must at the time of the election for which the student shall serve: (i) be at least seventeen (17) years of age; (ii) be a United States citizen and a resident of the county in which he was appointed to serve; (iii) be enrolled in a secondary educational institution with an exemplary academic record as determined by the educational institution; (iv) be approved by the principal or director of the secondary educational institution; and (v) have obtained the consent of their parent or guardian. (6) The student may not serve as a judge of election or majority or minority inspector. 

Rhode Island

Citation: 17 R.I. Gen. Laws Ann. § 17-9.1-4.1 

Effective: 1994 

Each city’s local board of canvassers and registration has a duty to conduct an annual voter registration drive at each high school together with the administration.  Each principal or one appointed by the principal may be a registration agent for the students and faculty. 

17 R.I. Gen. Laws Ann. § 17-9.1-4.1 It shall be the duty of local boards to annually conduct a voter registration drive at each high school within the city or town in cooperation with the administration of the schools. Each principal of every public or private high school and director of each vocational school in the state may be a registration agent whose authority shall be limited to receiving and accepting registrations as electors from those qualified applicants who are enrolled as students within the school or are employed within the school. The principal or director may designate one or more persons in the school to serve as registration agents with the same authority as the principal of the school, provided each designation is filed with the local board for the city or town in which the school is located. Each person who is a registration agent pursuant to this section shall be sworn to the faithful performance of his or her duties and shall be subject to removal as a registration agent by the local board for cause shown. All registration made under this section shall be made in accordance with rules and regulations established by the local board of the city or town in which the school is located.  

Citation: 17 R.I. Gen. Laws Ann. § 17-9.1-33 

Effective: 2009 

An individual that is 16 years of age may pre-register to vote and an individual that is 17 years of age but will be 18 by the next election may register to vote.  

17 R.I. Gen. Laws Ann. § 17-9.1-33 (a) Every person who has reached the age of eighteen (18) years or who is seventeen (17) years of age and will be eighteen (18) years of age by the date of the next election, and is otherwise qualified to register may do so for that election.(b) A person who is otherwise qualified to register and is at least sixteen (16) years of age, but will not be eighteen (18) years of age by the date of the next election, may preregister upon satisfactory proof of age and shall be automatically registered upon reaching eighteen (18) years of age. 

Citation: 17 R.I. Gen. Laws Ann. § 17-11-12.1 

Effective: 2007 

An elections official may appoint up to 5 students per ward to serve under their direct supervision. 

17 R.I. Gen. Laws Ann. § 17-11-12.1 (a) Notwithstanding any other general law to the contrary, and in order to provide for a greater awareness of the elections process, the rights and responsibilities of voters and the importance of participating in the electoral process, as well as to provide additional workers, an elections official may appoint not more than five (5) students per ward, and/or precinct to serve under the direct supervision of ward, and/or precinct board members designated by the elections official. A student may be appointed, notwithstanding lack of eligibility to vote, subject to the approval of the educational institution in which the student is enrolled, if the student possesses the following qualifications: (1) Is at least (16) years of age at the time of the election to which he or she is serving as a member of a ward, and/or precinct board. (2) Is a United States citizen or will be a citizen at the time of the election to which he or she is serving as a member of a ward, and/or precinct board. (3) Is a student in good standing attending a public or private secondary educational institution. (4) Is a junior or senior and has a grade point average of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. (b) A student appointed pursuant to this section may not be used to tally votes. 

South Carolina

Citation: S.C. Code Ann. § 7-5-175, § 59-39-200 

Effective: 2004 

Each high school in this State shall make available to its students voter registration application forms, and the board of voter registration and elections in each county must provide voter registration forms to each high school’s administration upon request. 

S.C. Code Ann. § 7-5-175 The board of voter registration and elections in each county, or the entity charged by law with registering an elector, shall provide voter registration application forms to the administration of any high school in this State, upon the administration’s request.  

S.C. Code Ann. § 59-39-200 Each high school in this State shall make available to its students voter registration application forms. Pursuant to Section 7-5-175, the forms must be provided to high school administrators upon their request to the appropriate county voter registration board or entity charged by law with registering an elector.  

Citation: S.C. Code Ann. § 7-5-180 

Effective: 1997 

The registration of a person who is not 18 but will be 18 before the next general election and is otherwise qualified shall be accepted, and they shall be allowed to vote in presidential primary elections. 

S.C. Code Ann. § 7-5-180 Procedure for registration when qualification is completed after closing books. Except as otherwise provided by law, a person who has not attained the age of eighteen years before the closing of the books of registration preceding any election, including presidential primary elections, but attains that age before the next ensuing election appears before the county board of voter registration and elections and makes application for registration, under oath as to the facts above stated entitling a person to registration, the board shall register the applicant, if he is otherwise qualified.  

Citation: S.C. Code Ann. § 7-13-110 

Effective: 2000 

Students who are at least 16 years old may serve as poll managers’ assistants.  

S.C. Code Ann. § 7-13-110 Each chairman and clerk appointed from among the managers of election for the various polling places must be a resident and registered elector of the respective county in which he is appointed to work or in an adjoining county. All managers of election who are not appointed to serve as chairmen or clerks for the various polling places in the State must be residents and registered electors of the State of South Carolina. Any person qualified to serve as a manager who requests to work in his resident county or an adjoining county must be given priority over qualified persons from other counties for appointment to work in the resident county or an adjoining county. Any person at least sixteen years of age who has completed the training required by Section 7-13-72 and who is not otherwise disqualified by law may be appointed as a poll manager's assistant by the appropriate county board of voter registration and elections. Any sixteen- or seventeen-year-old appointed as a poll manager's assistant may not serve as chairman of the managers or clerk in the polling place to which he or she is appointed. Sixteen- and seventeen-year-olds must serve under supervision of the chairman of the managers of the polling place, and their specific duties must be prescribed by the county board of voter registration and elections. One sixteen- or seventeen-year-old assistant poll manager may be appointed for every two regular poll managers appointed to work in any precinct. 

Tennessee

Citation: Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-2-111 

Effective: 1972 

The county election commission or its designee must conduct a supplementary voter registration at least once each year at every public and private high school in the county. 

Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-2-111 (a) The commission in any county may hold such supplemental registrations as it deems necessary before any election in locations other than the commission office. (b) In addition to any supplemental voter registration otherwise required by this chapter, the county election commission, or its designee, in each county shall conduct at least one (1) supplemental voter registration each year at every public and private high school in the country, for the purpose of registration of those persons who will be eligible to vote in the next election. The publication requirements of § 2-2-114 shall not apply to the registration required by this subsection (b).  

Citation: Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-2-202, § 2-2-205 

Effective: 1997 

Public high schools are voter registration agencies.  They must distribute voter registration by-mail applications and assist in the completion of the forms. 

Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-2-202 In addition to any other voter registration procedure provided by law and by § 2-2-201: … (3) Public libraries, public high schools, offices of county clerks and offices of county registers of deeds; shall serve as voter registration agencies.  

Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-2-205 (a) To the extent that a voter registration agency is an office, public library or high school described in § 2-2-202(3) and does not require or provide applications for its services, that office, public library or high school shall: (1) Distribute or otherwise make available the voter registration-by-mail application form described in § 2-2-115 to those individuals whom the office, public library or high school serves; (2) Provide the person the same degree of assistance with regard to the completion of the registration application form as is provided by the office, public library or high school with regard to the services offered by that office, public library or high school; and (3) Accept the completed voter registration forms for transmittal to the appropriate county election commission to be processed as a voter registration-by-mail form in accordance with § 2-2-115. (b) A completed voter registration accepted at a voter registration agency described in this section shall be transmitted to the appropriate county election commission office not later than ten (10) days after the date of acceptance; provided, that if the document is accepted within five (5) days before the last day for registration to vote in an election, the application shall be transmitted to the appropriate county election commission office not later than five (5) days after the date of acceptance. 

Citation: Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-4-103 

Effective: 2003 

Students who are at least 16 years of age may serve as poll workers and receive compensation.  

Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-4-103 (e) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, a county election commission may appoint as an election official a person who has reached sixteen (16) years of age and who meets all other requirements to serve. This section does not prohibit a high school student appointed as a poll official from receiving compensation in addition to having an excused absence. 

Citation: Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-7-103 

Effective: 1972 

A child under seventeen may enter the voting both with their parent or legal guardian to observe the voting process.  

Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-7-103 (e) In addition to persons authorized to be admitted to the polling place in subsection (a), a child under seventeen (17) years of age may accompany the child’s parent or legal guardian into the polling place. Such child may also enter the voting machine or voting booth with such parent or guardian to observe the voting process.  

Texas

Citation: Tex. Elec. Code Ann. § 13.001 

Effective: 2007 

An individual who is 17 years and 10 months old and otherwise qualified may register to vote.  

Tex. Elec. Code Ann. § 13.001 (b) To be eligible to apply for registration, a person must, on the date the registration application is submitted to the registrar, be at least 17 years and 10 months of age and satisfy the requirements of Subsection (a) except for age.  

Citation: Tex. Elec. Code Ann. § 13.046; 1 Tex. Admin. Code § 81.7 

Effective: 1986 

Each principal of a public of private high school or the principal’s designee serves as a deputy registrar of the county. They may distribute voter registration and accept completed forms from students and employees of the school only. They must distribute a form at least twice a year to each student who is or will be 18 or older that year. 

Tex. Elec. Code Ann. § 13.046 (a) Each principal of a public or private high school or the principal’s designee shall serve as a deputy registrar for the county in which the school is located. (b) In this code, “high school deputy registrar” means a deputy registrar serving under this section. (c) A high school deputy registrar may distribute registration application forms to receive registration applications submitted to the deputy in person from students and employees of the school only. (d) At least twice each school year, a high school deputy registrar shall distribute an officially prescribed registration application form to each student who is or will be 18 years of age or older during that year, subject to rules prescribed by the secretary of state. (e) Each application form distributed under this section must be accompanied by a notice informing the student or employee that the application may be submitted in person or by mail to the voter registrar of the county in which the applicant resides or in person to a high school deputy registrar or volunteer deputy registrar for delivery to the voter registrar of the county in which the applicant resides. (f) Except as provided by this subsection, Sections 13.039, 13.041, and 13.042 apply to the submission and delivery of registration applications under this section, and for that purpose, "volunteer deputy registrar" in those sections includes a high school deputy registrar. A high school deputy registrar may review an application for completeness out of the applicant's presence. A deputy may deliver a group of applications to the registrar by mail in an envelope or package, and, for the purpose of determining compliance with the delivery deadline, an application delivered by mail is considered to be delivered at the time of its receipt by the registrar.  

1 Tex. Admin. Code § 81.7 Directive for High School Deputy Registrars (d) Duties of High School Deputy Voter Registrar (1) Obtaining Voter Registration Applications and Materials from School Board Administrator or Secretary of State. A high school principal or designated representative acting as a deputy voter registrar shall procure from the school board administrator or Secretary of State a sufficient supply of voter registration applications and notice forms. It is essential that high school deputy voter registrars contact the Secretary of State for registration applications and not the county voter registrar; the voter registrar’s applications are not coded for use by high school deputy registrars. (2) Distributing Voter Registration Applications and Materials to Eligible Students and Employees. A high school deputy registrar shall distribute voter registration applications during the final month of each semester to high school students who are or will be 18 years of age or older during that semester. Applications may also be distributed at any time during the school year to students and employees of the high school who request them. The application form must be accompanied by a notice which informs the high school student or employee that he or she may: (A) deliver the application form in person to the voter registrar or elections administrator of the county in which the applicant resides; (B) mail the application form to the voter registrar or elections administrator of the county in which the applicant resides; or (C) deliver the application form in person to the high school deputy registrar or a volunteer deputy registrar for delivery to the voter registrar or elections administrator of the county in which the applicant resides. (i) The student or employee may request assistance from the high school deputy registrar in filling out the application. If the applicant cannot sign the application due to physical disability or illiteracy, another person may witness the applicant's mark. The witness must include an address, printed name, and signature on the application. If an applicant is physically unable to make a mark, the witness shall state this fact on the application.  (ii) On receipt of a registration application, the high school deputy registrar shall review it for completeness. The high school deputy registrar may review an application for completeness out of the applicant's presence. If the application does not contain all the required information and the required signature, the application shall be returned to the applicant for completion and resubmission. (3) Returning Voter Registration Applications to Voter Registrar or Elections Administrator. (A) The high school deputy registrar must deliver the completed applications to the voter registrar or elections administrator of the county in which the applicant resides as soon as possible after they are received. Completed applications shall be delivered to the county voter registrar or elections administrator by the high school deputy registrar in person, or by mail in an envelope or package. An application must be delivered to the county voter registrar or elections administrator no later than 5 p.m. of the fifth day after the date the application is submitted to the high school deputy registrar, except that an application submitted after the 34th day and before the 29th day before the date of an election in which any qualified voters of the county are eligible to vote must be delivered no later than 5 p.m. of the 29th day before election day. An application delivered by mail is considered to be delivered at the time of its receipt by the county registrar or elections administrator. (B) Since a voter registration application will result in an effective voter registration on the 30th day after it is received by a high school deputy registrar, it is imperative that the high school deputy registrar confer with the county voter registrar or elections administrator of each county in which the students and employees of the high school reside before instituting a voter registration program in the high school in order to insure that the applications are received by the county in a timely manner. 

Citation: Tex. Elec. Code §32.0511 

Effective: 2009 

Students who are least 16 years of age may serve as election clerks with the consent of their school.  

Tex. Elec. Code Ann. § 32.0511 (b) A student who is ineligible to serve as a clerk of an election precinct under Section 32.051(c) is eligible to serve as a clerk of an election precinct under this section if the student: (1) at the time of appointment as an election clerk: (A) is a student at an educational institution or attends a home school that meets the requirements of Section 25.086(a)(1), Education Code; and (B) has the consent of: (i) the principal of the educational institution attended by the student; or (ii) in the case of a home-schooled student, a parent or legal guardian who is responsible for the student's education; and 2) at the time of service as an election clerk: (A) is 16 years of age or older; (B) is a United States citizen;  and (C) has completed any training course required by the entity holding the election. (c) A student election clerk serving under this section: (1) is entitled to compensation under Section 32.091 in the same manner as other election clerks; and (2) when communicating with a voter who cannot communicate in English, may communicate with the voter in a language the voter and the clerk understand as authorized by Subchapter B, Chapter 61. (d) Not more than two student election clerks may serve at a polling place, except that not more than four student election clerks may serve at any countywide polling place. (e) The secretary of state may initiate or assist in the development of a statewide program promoting the use of student election clerks appointed under this section. 

Citation: 1 Tex. Admin. Code § 81.301 

Effective: 1992 

Procedures for a student mock election shall be prescribed by the secretary of state and shall not affect the conduct of a general, special, or primary election.  

1 Tex. Admin. Code § 81.301 The secretary of state shall prescribe any procedures necessary to implement this section and ensure that the conduct of a student mock election does not affect the proper and efficient conduct of a general, special, or primary election. (1) A student mock election may be ordered by: (A) the commissioners court, for a student mock election held in conjunction with an election ordered by the governor or a county authority; (B) the governing body of a political subdivision, for a student mock election held in conjunction with an election of the political subdivision; (C) the county executive committee, for a student mock election held in conjunction with a primary election. (2) If a student mock election is ordered by the commissioners court, governing body of a political subdivision, or the county executive committee to be held in the adult polling place, it may only be held on election day or the day before the election, pursuant to the Election Code, §276.007. The restrictions set forth in §276.007 only apply to student mock elections held in conjunction with a general, special, or primary election. (3) The authority ordering a student mock election shall specify in the order each grade that may participate in the election. A student in a specified grade may enter a designated polling place or specified locale for the purpose of casting an unofficial ballot in the student election on the same offices and measures that appear on the official ballot. (4) The student mock election, if held in conjunction with a general, special, or primary election, shall not be disruptive nor infringe upon any rights provided a legal registered voter. (A) The student mock election shall be implemented and conducted in accordance with the Election Code and laws of the State of Texas (whether or not conducted in the adult polling place), insofar as they are applicable, except as otherwise provided by these rules, or any directive from the secretary of state's office. (B) An official polling place may be used to conduct a student mock election by an entity, provided that the entity has submitted an application to the secretary of state's office pursuant to the rules and guidelines hereby prescribed and has secured final approval from the local authority and the secretary of state before the 60th day before the day of the student election. (The application is available through the secretary of state's office.) (C) A student mock election voting booth (or other voting system) shall not be within 50 feet of an adult voting booth that is located in the same room. The regular election judge may exercise his or her statutory authority to maintain order in the polling place to ensure that the mock election is not disruptive. Nothing in these rules shall be construed to lessen the authority of the regular election judge. Note: an exception to the distance requirement may be obtained with written permission from the secretary of state's office no later than 60 days before the day of the student election. (5) If it is not feasible to hold the student mock election in the same polling area as the regular election, an alternate location may be selected. The authority ordering the election shall determine the polling locations. The alternate sites should be selected to serve the convenience of the students and accompanying adults, without disrupting the adult voters. Recommended sites include the schools or other locations within the same building as the regular polling place. (A) The student mock election may be held at any time during the hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., but the mock election is not required to remain open the entire time. (B) The student mock election is not required to use the same number of polling places or the same locations as the regular election. (6) As practicable, the student mock election should adopt the voting system most prevalent in the students' community. If such a voting system is not available, any other voting system authorized by the election code may be used. (7) Regardless of the location of the  student mock election polling area, no unauthorized persons, telephones, or any type of mechanical or electronic recording equipment are allowed within the mock polling area. (8) The election officers serving in the official election may not serve in the student mock election. The authority ordering the election shall appoint a separate set of election officers to conduct the student mock election. All student mock election officers and organizers must be community volunteers. No county or state funds may be used for payment of election judges and clerks. (9) Tabulation of the results may begin at the time specified by the Election Code for the voting system used. Student mock election results may not be announced until after the adult polling places are closed on election day (7 p.m.). 

Utah

Citation: Utah Code Ann. § 20A-2-101, § 20A-2-101.1 

Effective: 2019  

An individual that is 16 years of age may pre-register to vote and may vote in primary elections if registered and 17 years of age.  

Utah Code Ann. § 20A-2-101 Eligibility for registration. (1) Except as provided in Subsection (2), an individual may register to vote in an election who: (a) is a citizen of the United States; (b) has been a resident of Utah for at least the 30 days immediately before the election; (c) will be: (i) at least 18 years of age on the day of the election; or (ii) if the election is a regular primary election, a municipal primary election, or a presidential primary election: (A) 17 years of age on or before the day of the regular primary election, municipal primary election, or presidential primary election; and (B) 18 years of age on or before the day of the general election that immediately follows the regular primary election, municipal primary election, or presidential primary election; and (d) currently resides within the voting district or precinct in which the individual applies to register to vote. 

Utah Code Ann. § 20A-2-101.1 (1) An individual may preregister to vote if the individual: (a) is 16 or 17 years of age; (b) is not eligible to register to vote because the individual does not comply with the age requirements described in Subsection 20A-2-101(1)(c );(c) is a citizen of the United States; (d) has been a resident of Utah for at least 30 days; and (e) currently resides within the voting district or precinct in which the individual preregisters to vote. (2) An individual described in Subsection (1) may not vote in an election and is not registered to vote until: (a) the individual is otherwise eligible to register to vote because the individual complies with the age requirements described in Subsection 20A-2-101(1)(c); and (b) the county clerk registers the individual to vote under Subsection (4).  

Citation: Utah Code Ann. § 20A-2-302 

Effective: 1993, amended in 2020 to remove mail-in stipulation 

Each county clerk may contact each public and accredited nonpublic high school, determine the number of seniors, and distribute sufficient voter registration forms for each senior.  Each public and accredited nonpublic high school may include a voter registration form in the senior registration packet and collect and forward completed forms to the county clerk. 

Utah Code Ann. § 20A-2-302 (1) (a) A county clerk may: (i) contact each high school and each accredited nonpublic high school in the county; (ii) determine the number of high school seniors; and (iii) distribute voter registration forms to each accredited public or private high school in an amount sufficient for distribution to each high school senior. (b) The county clerk shall process a voter registration form received from an individual under this section in accordance with Section 20A-2-101.1 (2) Each public school and accredited nonpublic school may: (a) include the by-mail voter registration form in the senior registration packet; and (b) collect and forward completed voter registration forms to the county clerk.  

Citation: Utah Code § 20A-5-601, § 20A-5-602 

Effective: 1997, changes below effective 5/12/2020  

Individuals who are 16 or 17 years of age may be appointed as poll workers (receiving, counting, or canvassing judges), with different qualifications according to the type of election.  

Utah Code Ann. § 20A-5-601 Appointment of poll workers in elections where candidates are distinguished by registered political parties. (3)(a) For each election, each election officer shall provide for the appointment of at least three registered voters, or one individual who is 16 or 17 years of age and two registered voters, one of whom is at least 21 years of age, from the list to serve as poll workers. (b) An election officer may appoint additional poll workers, as needed. (4) For each set of three poll workers appointed for a polling place for an election, the election officer shall ensure that: (a) two poll workers are appointed from the political party that cast the highest number of votes for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, state auditor, and state treasurer, excluding votes for unopposed candidates, in the jurisdiction holding the election at the last regular general election before the appointment of the poll workers; and (b) one poll worker is appointed from the political party that cast the second highest number of votes for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, state auditor, and state treasurer, excluding votes for unopposed candidates, in the county, city, or local district, as applicable, at the last regular general election before the appointment of the poll workers.

Utah Code § 20A-5-602 Appointment of poll workers in elections where candidates are not distingiushed by registered political parties. (2)(a) The election officer shall appoint, or provide for the appointment of, at least three poll workers as follows: (I) three registered voters; or (ii) two registered voters, one of whom is at least 21 years old, and one individual who is 16 or 17 years old.

Vermont

Citation: Const. ch II, § 42 

Effective: 2010 

Every otherwise qualified voter who will attain the age of 18 by the date of the general election is entitled to vote in the primary election. 

Const. ch II, § 42 Voter’s Qualifications and Oath. Every person who will attain the full age of eighteen years by the date of the general election who is a citizen of the United States, having resided in this State for the period established by the General Assembly and who is of a quiet and peaceable behavior, and will take the oath or affirmation set forth in this section, shall be entitled to vote in the primary election. 

Citation: Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 17 § 2454 

Effective: 2003 

The board of civil authority may appoint individuals who are 16 or 17 years old to serve as assistant election officers.  

Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 17 § 2454 (b) The board of civil authority may appoint residents of a municipality who are 16 or 17 years old to serve as assistant elections officers in their respective polling places. Youth assistant elections officers shall have the same duties as adult assistant elections officers but shall work under the direct supervision of adult elections officials.  

Citation: Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 17 § 2522 

Effective: 1977 

A high school or other educational institution may request a sample ballot for educational purposes.  

Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 17 § 2522 (d) Upon the request of any high school or other educational institution in the town, the town clerk shall deliver a sample ballot to the high school or educational institution. 

Virginia

Citation: Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-403 

Effective: 1971 

Any person under the age of 18 who is otherwise qualified to vote before the next general election may register to vote in advance.  

Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-403 Any person who is otherwise qualified and will be 18 years of age on or before the day of the next general election shall be permitted to register in advance and also vote in any intervening primary or special election. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, any person who is otherwise qualified and will be 18 years of age on or before the day of the next November general presidential election shall be permitted to register in advance of and also vote in any intervening presidential primary and any other primary held on the same day as the presidential primary. 

Citation: Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-604.3 

Effective: 2018 

Local election boards in coordination with high school authorities may conduct an election day page program for high school students. 

Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-604.3 A. The local electoral board, or its general registrar, may conduct a special election day program for high school students in one or more polling places designated by the electoral board or the general registrar, other than a central absentee voter precinct. Such students shall be selected by the electoral board or the general registrar in cooperation with high school authorities. The program shall be designed to stimulate the students’ interest in elections and registering to vote, provide assistance to the officers of election, and ensure the safe entry and exit of elderly and disabled voters from the polling place. B. Each student shall receive, from a person designated by the electoral board, training on the duties, responsibilities, and prohibited conduct of election pages. Each student shall take and sign an oath as an election page, serve under the direct supervision of the chief officer of election of his assigned polling place, and observe strict impartiality at all times. C. Election pages may observe the electoral process and seek information from the chief officer of election and may assist in the arrangement of the voting equipment, furniture, and other materials for the conduct of the election, but shall not enter any voting booth. Election pages may, at the direction and under the direct supervision of the chief officer of election, assist in the counting of unmarked ballots prior to the opening of the polls, but shall not handle or touch ballots in any other circumstance.  

Citation: Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-203.4 

Effective: 2020 

Public high schools must provide mail voter registration forms or access to online voter registration on school computer for any student who is eligible to register to vote. 

Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-203.4 Public high schools; Virginia voter registration. Each public high school shall provide to any enrolled student who is of voting age or is eligible to register to vote pursuant to § 24.2-403 (i) mail voter registration applications and voter registration information provided by the Department of Elections or (ii) access to the Virginia online voter registration system on a school-owned computing device that is accessible to such student. Each student who is eligible to register to vote shall be provided the opportunity to complete an application form during the normal course of the school day. 

Washington

Citation: Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 28A.230.150  

Effective: 2019 

On January 16th of each year or the preceding Friday when January 16th falls on a nonschool day, there shall be observed within each public school "Temperance and Good Citizenship Day". Annually the state superintendent of public instruction shall duly prepare and publish for circulation among the teachers of the state a program for use on such day embodying topics pertinent thereto and may from year to year designate particular laws for special observance. 

Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 28A.230.150 (1) On January 16th of each year or the preceding Friday when January 16th falls on a nonschool day, there shall be observed within each public school "Temperance and Good Citizenship Day". Annually the state superintendent of public instruction shall duly prepare and publish for circulation among the teachers of the state a program for use on such day embodying topics pertinent thereto and may from year to year designate particular laws for special observance. (2) Each year on "Temperance and Good Citizenship Day," social studies teachers must, as resources allow, coordinate a voter registration event in each history or social studies class attended by high school seniors. This event is part of the future voter program. Teachers must make voter sign up and registration available to all students. (3) County auditors may, as resources allow, help coordinate elements of the future voter program, and participate in voter registration events for students on "Temperance and Good Citizenship Day." (4) On each temperance and good citizenship day all students who will be eighteen years of age or older by the time of the next general election will be given the opportunity to register to vote online in the classroom. Paper registration must also be made available in the classroom. Students who do not possess a state identicard or driver's license must be provided a paper registration form. The event must include adequate time for students to complete the registration process in class. (5) The superintendent of public instruction, in consultation with the secretary of state, must update and distribute youth voter registration materials annually, by December 1st, for eligible students to register to vote at school. Electronic notification of the availability of the materials must be distributed to high school principals and secondary social studies and history teachers. (6) The superintendent of public instruction must consult with the secretary of state to provide registration methods that enable the electronic collection of information on the number of students who registered to vote on "Temperance and Good Citizenship Day," with the goal of achieving at least fifty thousand new voter registrations for seventeen and eighteen year olds annually, beginning in January 2020. (7) Beginning March 1, 2020, and annually thereafter, the superintendent of public instruction must report on yearly progress toward the goal established in subsection (5) of this section, including the number of seventeen and eighteen year olds registered to vote by county and recommendations for increasing youth voter registration, to the governor and the appropriate standing committees of the legislature in accordance with RCW 43.01.036. (8) For the purposes of this section: (a) "Future voter program" refers to the information that may be collected by a number of processes about a future voter. Information that is otherwise disclosable under chapter 29A.08 RCW cannot be disclosed on the future voter until the person reaches age eighteen, except for the purpose of processing and delivering ballots. (b) "Sign up" means the act of providing information relevant to eventual official voter registration, prior to such time that he or she will be eighteen years of age by the next election. 

Citation: Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 29A.08.260 

Effective: 1993 

The county auditor must provide voter registration forms to schools.  A representative designated by the official in charge of the school must notify the county auditor when additional supplies are needed. 

Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 29A.08.260 (2) The county auditor shall distribute forms by which a person may register to vote by mail and transfer any previous registration in the state. The country auditor shall keep a supply of voter registration forms in his or her office at all times for political parties and others interested in assisting in voter registration, and shall make every effort to make these forms generally available to the public. The county auditor shall provide voter registration forms to city and town clerks, state offices, schools, fire stations, public libraries, and any other locations considered appropriate by the auditor or secretary of state for extending registration opportunities to all areas of the county. After the initial distribution of voter registration forms to a given location, a representative designated by the official in charge of that location shall notify the county auditor of the need for additional voter registration supplies.   

Citation: Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 29A.08.170, § 29A.08.172, § 29A.08.174 

Effective: 2019 

Individuals who are 16 or 17 years old may pre-register to vote, but may not vote in an election until they are 18 years, as part of the future voters program.  

Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 29A.08.170 (1) A person may sign up to register to vote if he or she is sixteen or seventeen years of age, as part of the future voter program. (2) A person who signs up to register to vote may not vote until reaching eighteen years of age, and his or her name may not be added to the statewide voter registration database list of voters until such time as he or she will be eighteen years of age by the next election. 

Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 29A.08.172 Registration by mail. (1) A person who has attained sixteen years of age may sign up to register to vote, as part of the future voter program, by submitting a voter registration application by mail. (2) The applicant must attest to the truth of the information provided on the application by affirmatively accepting the information as true. (3) If signing up to register by mail, the person must provide a signature for voter registration purposes. (4) The applicant must affirmatively acknowledge that he or she will not vote until his or her eighteenth birthday. 

Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 29A.08.174 Application electronically (1) A person who has attained sixteen years of age and has a valid Washington state driver's license or identicard may sign up to register to vote as part of the future voter program, by submitting a voter registration application electronically on the secretary of state's web site. (2) The applicant must attest to the truth of the information provided on the application by affirmatively accepting the information as true. (3) If signing up to register electronically, the applicant must affirmatively assent to the use of his or her driver's license or identicard signature for voter registration purposes. (4) The applicant must affirmatively acknowledge that he or she will not vote until his or her eighteenth birthday. (5) For each electronic registration application, the secretary of state must obtain a digital copy of the applicant's driver's license or identicard signature from the department of licensing. (6) The secretary of state may employ additional security measures to ensure the accuracy and integrity of voter preregistration applications submitted electronically. 

Citation: Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 29A.08.170, § 29A.08.172, § 29A.08.174 

Effective: 2022 

Individuals who are 16 or 17 years old may pre-register to vote, but may not vote in a general or special election until they are 18 years, as part of the future voters program. Individuals who are 17 years old may vote in a primary election if they will be 18 years old by the general election. 

Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 29A.08.170 (1) A person may sign up to register to vote if he or she is sixteen or seventeen years of age, as part of the future voter program. (2) A person who signs up to register to vote may not vote until reaching eighteen years of age unless the person is seventeen years of age at the primary election or presidential primary election and will be eighteen years of age by the general election. A person who signs up to register to vote may not be added to the statewide voter registration database list of voters until such time as he or she will be eligible to vote in the next election. 

Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 29A.08.172 (1) A person who has attained sixteen years of age may sign up to register to vote, as part of the future voter program, by submitting a voter registration application by mail. (2) The applicant must attest to the truth of the information provided on the application by affirmatively accepting the information as true. (3) If signing up to register by mail, the person must provide a signature for voter registration purposes. (4) The applicant must affirmatively acknowledge that he or she will not vote in a special or general election until his or her eighteenth birthday. 

Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 29A.08.174 (1) A person who has attained sixteen years of age and has a valid Washington state driver's license or identicard may sign up to register to vote as part of the future voter program, by submitting a voter registration application electronically on the secretary of state's web site. (2) The applicant must attest to the truth of the information provided on the application by affirmatively accepting the information as true. (3) If signing up to register electronically, the applicant must affirmatively assent to the use of his or her driver's license or identicard signature for voter registration purposes. (4) The applicant must affirmatively acknowledge that he or she will not vote in a special or general election until his or her eighteenth birthday, and will only vote in a primary election or presidential primary election if he or she will be eighteen years of age by the general election. (5) For each electronic registration application, the secretary of state must obtain a digital copy of the applicant's driver's license or identicard signature from the department of licensing. (6) The secretary of state may employ additional security measures to ensure the accuracy and integrity of voter preregistration applications submitted electronically. 

Citation: Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 28A.230.094  

Effective: 2020 

Each district that operates a high school must provide a mandatory civics course that includes instruction about elections, ballot measures, initiatives, and referenda. The Washington state association of county auditors and a nonprofit organization involved in voter outreach shall help identify and make available materials and resources for use in this class.  

Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 28A.230.094 High school civics course. (1)(a) Beginning with or before the 2020-21 school year, each school district that operates a high school must provide a mandatory one-half credit stand-alone course in civics for each high school student. Except as provided by (c) of this subsection, civics content and instruction embedded in other social studies courses do not satisfy the requirements of this subsection. (b) Credit awarded to students who complete the civics course must be applied to course credit requirements in social studies that are required for high school graduation.(c) Civics content and instruction required by this section may be embedded in social studies courses that offer students the opportunity to earn both high school and postsecondary credit.(2) The content of the civics course must include, but is not limited to: (a) Federal, state, tribal, and local government organization and procedures; (b) Rights and responsibilities of citizens addressed in the Washington state and United States Constitutions; (c) Current issues addressed at each level of government; (d) Electoral issues, including elections, ballot measures, initiatives, and referenda; (e) The study and completion of the civics component of the federally administered naturalization test required of persons seeking to become naturalized United States citizens; and(f) The importance in a free society of living the basic values and character traits specified in RCW 28A.150.211. (3) By September 1, 2020, the office of the superintendent of public instruction, in collaboration with the Washington state association of county auditors and a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization engaged in voter outreach and increasing voter participation, shall identify and make available civics materials and resources for use in courses under this section. The materials and resources must be posted on the office of the superintendent of public instruction's web site.

West Virginia

Citation: W. Va. Code Ann. § 3-1-29 

Effective: 1996 

Individuals who are 16 or 17 years of age may serve as election official trainees. 

W. Va. Code Ann. § 3-1-29 a) For the purpose of this article: (1) The term "standard receiving board" means those election officials charged with conducting the process of voting within a precinct and consists of no less than five persons, to be comprised as follows: (A) Each precinct shall have at least one team of poll clerks, one team of election commissioners for the ballot box and one additional election commissioner. (B) At the discretion of the county clerk and county commission, any county may add additional teams of poll clerks and commissioners to any precinct, as necessary to fairly and efficiently conduct an election; (2) The term "counting board" means those election officials charged with counting the ballots at the precinct in counties using paper ballots and includes one team of poll clerks, one team of election commissioners and one additional commissioner; (3) The term "team of poll clerks" or "team of election commissioners" means two persons appointed by opposite political parties to perform the specific functions of the office: Provided, That no team of poll clerks or team of election commissioners may consist of two persons with the same registered political party affiliation or two persons registered with no political party affiliation; and  (4) The term "election official trainee" means an individual who is sixteen or seventeen years of age who meets the requirements of subdivisions (2), (3), (4), (5) and (6), subsection (a), section twenty-eight of this article. (b) For each primary and general election in the county, the county commission shall designate the number and type of election boards for the various precincts according to the provisions of this section. At least eighty-four days before each primary and general election the county commission shall notify the county executive committees of the two major political parties in writing of the number of nominations which may be made for poll clerks and election commissioners. (c) For each municipal election held at a time when there is no county or state election: (1) The governing body of the municipality shall perform the duties of the county commission as provided in this section; and (2) The standard receiving board may, at the discretion of the official charged with the administration of election, consist of as few as four persons, including one team of poll clerks and one team of election commissioners for the ballot box. 

Citation: W. Va. Code Ann. § 3-2-8 

Effective: 1994 

The clerk of the county commission must establish a program for voter registration at each high school during the school year no later than 45 days before a statewide primary held during the school year. The Secretary of State must issue guidelines for the approval of these programs. 

W. Va. Code Ann. § 3-2-8 (b) (2) The clerk of the county commission shall establish an approved program of voter registration services for eligible high school students at each high school within the county and shall conduct that program of voter registration at an appropriate time during each school year, but no later than forty-five days before a statewide primary election held during a school year. The Secretary of State shall issue guidelines for approval of programs of voter registration for eligible students, and all such programs shall include opportunities for students to register in person and present identification at the high school where the student is enrolled. Official school records shall be accepted as identification and proof of age for eligible students.  

Citation: W. Va. Code Ann. § 3-2-2 

Effective: 2004  

An individual who is at least 17 years and will be 18 by the next general election may register to vote and can vote in partisan ballots and special primary elections.  

W. Va. Code Ann. § 3-2-2 Eligibility to register to vote. (a) Any person who possesses the constitutional qualifications for voting may register to vote. To be qualified, a person must be a citizen of the United States and a legal resident of West Virginia and of the county where he or she is applying to register, shall be at least eighteen years of age, except that a person who is at least seventeen years of age and who will be eighteen years of age by the time of the next ensuing general election may also be permitted to register, and shall not be otherwise legally disqualified: Provided, That a registered voter who has not reached eighteen years of age may vote both partisan and nonpartisan ballots in a federal, state, county, municipal or special primary election if he or she will be eighteen years of age by the time of the corresponding general election.  

Citation: W. Va. Code Ann. § 18-2-9 

Effective: 2005 

Every high school student eligible for voter registration must be afforded the opportunity to register to vote.  

W. Va. Code Ann. § 18-2-9 (a) In all public, private, parochial and denominational schools located within this state there shall be given prior to the completion of the eighth grade at least one year of instruction in the history of the State of West Virginia. The schools shall require regular courses of instruction by the completion of the twelfth grade in the history of the United States, in civics, in the Constitution of the United States and in the government of the State of West Virginia for the purpose of teaching, fostering and perpetuating the ideals, principles and spirit of political and economic democracy in America and increasing the knowledge of the organization and machinery of the government of the United States and of the State of West Virginia. The state board shall, with the advice of the state superintendent, prescribe the courses of study covering these subjects for the public schools. It shall be the duty of the officials or boards having authority over the respective private, parochial and denominational schools to prescribe courses of study for the schools under their control and supervision similar to those required for the public schools. To further such study, every high school student eligible by age for voter registration shall be afforded the opportunity to register to vote pursuant to §3-2-22 of this code.  

Citation: W. Va. Code Ann. § 18A-5-2 

Effective: 

Schools are closed on any day on which a primary, general, or special election is held in the state or school district. 

W. Va. Code Ann. § 18A-5-2 (a) Schools shall be closed on Saturdays and on the following days which are designated as legal school holidays: Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, Martin Luther King's birthday, Memorial Day and West Virginia Day. Schools also shall be closed on any day on which a primary election, general election or special election is held throughout the state or school district and on any day appointed and set apart by the president or the Governor as a holiday of special observance by the people of the state. 

Wisconsin

Citation: Wis. Stat. § 7.30 

Effective: 1981 

A student who is 16 or 17 years old and is enrolled in school may serve as an inspector at a polling place.  

Wis. Stat. § 7.30 (2) (am) Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, a pupil who is 16 or 17 years of age and who is enrolled in grades 9 to 12 in a public or private school or in a tribal school, as defined in s. 115.001 (15m), may serve as an inspector at the polling place serving the pupil's residence, with the approval of the pupil's parent or guardian. Any pupil who has at least a 3.0 grade point average or the equivalent may serve. In addition, a school board, governing body of a private school, as defined in s. 115.001 (3d), or tribal school may establish criteria for service by a pupil who does not have at least a 3.0 grade point average or the equivalent. A pupil may serve as an inspector at a polling place under this paragraph only if at least one election official at the polling place other than the chief inspector is a qualified elector of this state. No pupil may serve as chief inspector at a polling place under this paragraph. Before appointment by any municipality of a pupil as an inspector under this paragraph, the municipal clerk shall obtain written authorization from the pupil's parent or guardian for the pupil to serve for the election for which he or she is appointed. In addition, if a pupil does not have at least a 3.0 grade point average or the equivalent, the municipal clerk shall obtain written certification from the principal of the school where the pupil is enrolled that the pupil meets any criteria established by the school board or governing body for service as an inspector. Upon appointment of a pupil to serve as an inspector, the municipal clerk shall notify the principal of the school where the pupil is enrolled of the name of the pupil and the date of the election at which the pupil has been appointed to serve.

Wyoming

Citation: Wyo. Admin. Code § Sec. of State, Elec. Proc.,  ch. 13, sec. 7 

Effective: 2009 

Students under 18 may become student election judges who may be allowed to register people to vote. 

Wyo. Admin. Code § Sec. of State, Elec. Proc.,  ch. 13, sec. 7 Student Election Judges. (a) An election judge under the age of 18 (student election judge) is qualified to subscribe to an oath and may also be allowed to register persons to vote. (b) A student election judge must fill out the proper application form, which is provided by the Secretary of State’s Office.  

Citation: Wyo. Stat. §22-8-102 

Effective: 

Individuals aged 16 and over can serve as judges of election or members of counting boards if such persons meet all other requirements to vote. 

Wyo. Stat. §22-8-102 Qualifications. Except as otherwise provided by this section, judges of election and members of counting boards shall be registered electors and shall be physically, morally and mentally competent to perform their duties. The county clerk may appoint persons who are at least sixteen (16) years of age to serve as judges of election or members of counting boards if such persons meet all other requirements for qualification of an elector. A judge of election shall not be a member of a counting board at the same election except as provided by W.S. 22-8-108(d). 


 

Authors: The original scan was led by Sarah Andes and Abby Kiesa with support from the CIRCLE team, including research assistants Laurel Bliss and Jaya Khetarpal. The 2021 update was led by research assistants Ruby Belle Booth, Alex Foley, and Madeline McGee.