New data from the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) estimates that the percentage of all eligible young voters, ages 18-29, who cast a ballot in 2016 may increase between 5 to 10 percentage points in 2020. CIRCLE estimates based on votes counted as of November 6, suggest that 49%-51% of voting-eligible young people, ages 18-29, cast a ballot in the 2020 presidential election.
We set out this fall to show the country that America’s largest generation votes. Based on what we know so far, not only did we show that young people vote, we showed the country that they persevered and overcame challenges to make their voices heard in this unprecedented time in our country.
The Student PIRGs New Voters Project, one of the country’s oldest and largest youth-led voter mobilization efforts, played a role in increased youth voter rates during the 2020 election. New data shows increases in the youth share of all votes cast in a number of key states. The preliminary surveys show that the youth vote share increased nationally from 16 percent in 2016 to 17 percent in 2020.
In the past two week, the Student PIRGs New Voters Project, one of the country’s oldest and largest youth-led voter mobilization efforts, has reached more than 750,000 young people by organizing virtual Phone-a-thon events as part of a coordinated effort to help register and turn out students.
The Student PIRGs New Voters Project, one of the country’s oldest and largest youth-led voter mobilization efforts, has been working in 17 states to register and mobilize students to vote.
Between Saturday and Election Day, the Student PIRGs New Voters Project will host get-out-the-vote virtual events with hundreds of volunteers.
DENVER — The Student PIRGs New Voters Project joined more than 2,500 partners across the country on Saturday to celebrate National Vote Early Day, the first civic holiday to help Americans take advantage of their options to vote early in their state. Over 300 students called and texted thousands of their peers to help them make plans to vote. Dozens of student organizations, community groups, and faculty joined the massive outreach effort. Supporting first time voters navigate the process in their state is critical in helping ensure they turn out.
To maintain engagement between students and faculty in these difficult times, the Student PIRGs New Voters Project, one of the country’s oldest and largest youth-led voter mobilization efforts, and the Scholars Strategy Network (SSN), a network of more than 1,500 university researchers, have brought together thousands of students and faculty to ensure that as many student body members as possible register as voters, make plans to vote, and, ultimately, cast their ballots.
Yesterday was National Voter Registration Day, and the Student PIRGs’ New Voters Project and thousands of other youth volunteers were out in full force to help their peers register to vote and participate in our democracy. I’m so inspired by the youth taking action this week, who didn’t let the new reality of virtual learning get in the way of organizing. Yesterday, we helped one voter register every 48 seconds for 15 hours — read on for more highlights from the day!
COVID-19 has reshaped 2020’s election landscape, but that hasn’t stopped the Student PIRGs’ New Voters Project from extensive outreach for Tuesday’s National Voter Registration Day. The organization, which is one of the country’s oldest and largest youth-led voter mobilization efforts, is taking tried-and-tested campaign tactics and adapting them to reach students in an online world.