Looking back at our recent voting history can be unnerving: of the total voter eligible ballots counted in 2014 (a non-presidential election), only 63.3% of the voter eligible population voted, a 72-year low. Put another way, approximately 143 million people did not vote. In the last presidential election in 2016, nearly 92 million eligible people did not vote. You can take some steps to encourage your residents to vote this year for the 2020 elections. We are happy to share our research findings with you. Read on for seven proven methods to help increase voter participation.
One way to improve voter participation of young adults is through education. KIDS Voting USA is an education model used in the Kansas schools. A study found that 18 year-old Kansans involved in the KIDS Voting USA program voted at rates 2.1% higher than those not in districts incorporating the model into their school curriculum. Interestingly, the program resulted in higher participation rates for their parents, too.
Voting barriers exist for Americans with disabilities and for minorities for whom English is a second language. Where English is a second language, the Voting Rights Act requires jurisdictions to provide voter registration forms, instructions, and ballots in languages other than English. The act also provides that language-challenged voters may choose from whom they will receive their language assistance as long as it is not their employer. Native Americans cite language problems as a barrier to voter participation. Jurisdictions with residents who face limited English proficiency should take steps to ensure that poll workers are aware of these federal requirements and require that polling places have translated materials. It is also important to make sure that residents who don't speak English have access to voting information in their language, so they are aware of how, when, and where to vote.
Getting to the polls is a problem for disabled Americans as many polling centers do not have available transportation. In addition, polling places may have:
Addressing these issues before election time may be a challenge but, if modifications are successful, should increase voter participation.
Here are four ways to reach voters where they live in today's hectic and increasingly digital world.
Some states have instituted no-excuse absentee voting and vote-at-home centers. Experts predict that no-excuse absentee voting will increase voter participation by 3% over time. Colorado's vote-at-home centers increased voter participation by 9%. The vote-at-home system means the post office delivers ballots to every eligible registered voter two weeks before the election. The voter then completes the ballot and returns it to election officials by mail or drop-off at vote-at-home centers.
Communicating with voters periodically during election season encourages an informed voter response at the polls. The following brochures are helpful in this regard:
The Integrated Voter Engagement (IVE) movement trains local leaders to identify and advocate issues important to the community and to organize that community to vote to improve those matters. Grassroots organizations work with church leaders, youth groups, union leaders, and social service agencies to target underserved populations and motivate them to vote in order to effect change on issues of pressing concern to their community.
NVRA requires every state to offer voter registration during visits to motor vehicle department, social service agencies, and other government officials. NVRA requires states to accept voter registration by mail. Low-income Americans registered to vote topped at 43.5% in 1992, the year Congress passed the law. After NVRA was in effect for 20 years, the participation rate for low-income Americans rose to 52.7%, showing compliance with the NVRA has a positive impact on voter participation rates.
If you are interested in learning more about this topic, read the 2018 report from nonprofitvote.org entitled "America Goes to the Polls 2018." States." This free, downloadable report ranks all 50 states by their voter turnout and voter policies that have an impact on voter participation.