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From polling to census data, research new and old shows that the youngest generation legally allowed to vote, for the most part, simply doesn’t. Why is it that so few teens vote in America – and how do we solve this problem as the 2026 midterms draw near?
Teens Aren’t Voting
A recent article from The Civics Center published on Oct. 13 makes a prediction: Teens will vote at higher rates in Pennsylvania this year than in 2022. That sounds like a reversal of the trend, doesn’t it? Well, it really isn’t – not yet anyway. Data show that only 27% of 18-year-olds in the Keystone State are registered to vote. That’s up from where it was a few months ago – and the 21% of 2022 – but it’s far from a high turnout.
Earlier in the month, on Oct. 5 – the last day to register to vote in Ohio before the Nov. 3 election – The Civics Center reported that voter registration is up from 2022 as well, but it’s still below the national average. At the time, only 35% of 18-year-olds were registered.
Both states are well below the national average, in fact. But even that is low compared to older voters. An average taken across 39 states as of Oct. 13 shows about 45% of 18-year-olds are registered to vote. And that number is heavily affected by states that allow registration through Election Day (like Colorado: 72%) and those with automatic registration for everyone and automatically mailed out ballots (like Maryland: 66%).
It’s as high as 83% in Michigan and 90% in Minnesota – both of which also have automatic voter registration. Older voters are registered nationwide in higher numbers – more than 90% in some of the automatic registration states, but still quite high in others. In Alabama, for example, 29% of 18-year-olds are registered to vote, but 87% of people 45 and older are.
What’s the Holdup?
So, why are teens not participating – especially when so many of them (if asked) say that democracy is important? Well, for one thing, most teens probably just don’t think about it. The “if asked” bit is the telling part – and some of the data comparisons between states reveal this same issue as well.
Notice those registration numbers above. States that automatically register people to vote upon turning 18 or getting a driver’s license when 18 or older and those that allow same-day registration have much higher registration rates among teens, but not really among older voters. Well, separate research by CIRCLE showed the same trend, and that voter registration deadlines could be part of the “problem.” In 15 states, voters are required to register at least 28 to 30 days prior to an election. In nine more, it’s between 20 and 27 days.
Finally, many teens aren’t voting, according to the Harvard Youth Poll, because they just don’t feel as if what they do really matters. About half of the young people surveyed said they didn’t feel as if they had any real say in government – that what they do at the ballot box doesn’t affect the outcome of the elections.
Twenty-six percent of young Democrats and 30% of independents said they felt cynical, and a quarter of Republicans said they were paying attention but not particularly engaged. This points to a young electorate more influenced by disillusion and skepticism than excitement.
Why It Matters
For those unengaged teens, for whatever reason, would an increase in teens voting make a difference? Absolutely!
For those who worry their one vote out of millions won’t make a difference, like it's just a drop of water in the ocean, well, that’s true. But what is that ocean but a bunch of tiny drops mixed together? No matter how large a population is, it is still only a collection of individuals. Every vote really does count exactly as much as the next one.
Voting is a right – but it’s also a responsibility.
4 Questions
The story, in brief
Why are so few 18-year-olds registered to vote in Pennsylvania and Ohio?
Research in the piece points to a few reasons. Many teens probably do not think about voting, some states require registration weeks before Election Day, and many young people say they do not feel their actions really matter in government. Those factors can leave teen registration below both older voters and the national average.
How do automatic registration and same-day registration affect teen voting?
States that automatically register voters or allow registration through Election Day have much higher registration rates among 18-year-olds. The numbers cited include Colorado at 72%, Maryland at 66%, Michigan at 83%, and Minnesota at 90%. The comparison suggests easier registration rules help more teens get on the rolls.
What do the latest numbers show about 18-year-old voter registration?
The figures remain low in many places. Pennsylvania was at 27% of 18-year-olds registered, up from 21% in 2022, and Ohio was at 35% on the last day to register before the Nov. 3 election. Across 39 states, the average was about 44% as of Sept. 11.
Why does higher teen voting matter in American elections?
The piece says an increase in teen voting would make a difference because elections are made up of individual votes. Even if one ballot seems small, every vote counts exactly as much as the next one. It also says voting is not only a right, but a responsibility.
