ISSUE BRIEF I OCTOBER 2012

A Series of Research and Policy Publications of the Schubert Center for Studies

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND THE VOTE: Fostering the Next Generation of

THE YOUTH VOTE IN THE this increase and ways to further youth analysts have suggested that the youth 2008 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION voting and engagement in future elections. vote was crucial to President Obama’s In 2008 an estimated 22 million young A confluence of factors such as extensive victory. Although youth voter turnout rose people (ages 18-29) voted in the national voter outreach measures, civic education to 51% in 2008, it still lagged behind the election. This was the third highest turnout and increased public interest are important turnout of voters who were over 30 years of young people since the was contributors to increasing voter turnout. old. Young people may represent 24% of the lowered to 18 [in 1971] and was one of the eligible voting population, but their votes highest turnouts of young people ever Voter turnout among young people in 2008 in the 2008 election only represented 9.3% recorded. Two million more people under can be analyzed by different factors such of the electorate. In most states, voter the age of 30 voted in 2008 than in 2004.1 as race, gender and education. Looking turnout among people 30 and older was at While young voters typically represent the at the youth vote through these lenses least ten percentage points above voters smallest percentage of votes in an election, reveals some interesting trends. Young aged 18 to 29 years old.1 they are a major subset of the electorate. women aged 18 to 29 were more likely Young people represent 24% of the eligible than men to vote in 2008. Fifty-eight The results of the 2008 election highlight voting population. As a result, their voting percent of African American youth voted the need to understand how and why power (hereinafter referred to collectively in 2008, which was the highest turnout of youth vote, and how to increase youth as the “youth vote”) is significant in terms any minority group since 1972. Also, young participation in the democratic process. of its potential impact on an election. people with college experience were twice The youth vote is not homogenous. The increased youth turnout in the 2008 as likely to vote as those without college Not all young people who voted in 2008 election has inspired many researchers experience, a trend that has remained voted for Obama, and how they voted relatively constant over time.1 Political and advocates to explore the reasons for continued next page >

The SCHUBERT CENTER FOR CHILD STUDIES in the College of Arts and Sciences at Case Western Reserve University bridges research, practice, policy and education for the well-being of children and adolescents. Our focus is on children from infancy through adolescence in local, national, international and global settings. ISSUE BRIEF I OCTOBER 2012 2 I

Recent research from the PEW Center shows that in and registration for the 2012 election has fallen among both Republicans and Democrats.

civic engagement and the youth vote continued > varied by gender, race, education and CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AS for compromise. Again, youth voters should other demographics. A recent survey of CONTEXT FOR YOUTH VOTING not be seen as a uniform group, as they registered youth voters from the Garfield Civic engagement refers to all the bring different life experiences and differing Institute for Public Leadership at Hiram ways we participate in our society by levels of civic engagement. Very recent College reveals some interesting findings identifying and understanding common research from the PEW Center shows that about how they are currently thinking problems in our communities, nation youth engagement in and registration for about politics and the upcoming national and world.3 It is not limited to voting but the 2012 election has fallen among both elections.2 The Democratic Party is viewed encompasses a variety of other activities Republicans and Democrats.7 Encouraging favorably by 56% of registered youth voters such as volunteering and organizational civic engagement in adolescence can be surveyed and the Republican Party is involvement. Civic engagement is core to a important to fostering adolescents’ future viewed favorably by 42% of youth voters. democracy as it promotes the involvement participation and interest in the democratic In the current presidential race, at the time of people impacted by public policies process. This is an area that merits further of publication, President Obama leads in the democratic process and creates study. former Governor Romney by 13 points opportunities for system and political ADOLESCENCE: A VITAL PERIOD FOR among youth voters, but this is much lower accountability. FOSTERING CIVIC ENGAGEMENT than Obama’s performance in 2008, when Although the youth vote is generally he beat John McCain by 33% among voters As future public leaders, civic engagement characterized as voting among people under 30. Looking back at the past four is especially valuable for young people, aged 18 to 29 years old, there is no age years, only 57% of young voters surveyed even if they are not old enough to vote. requirement for becoming a contributing said that Obama met their expectations. Developmentally, their experiences in member of society. As such, civic Looking forward, young people see the adolescence shape their attitudes, beliefs, engagement offers a broader framework Democratic Party as the party that best values and behaviors in regards to politics 3, 4, 5 to consider the kinds of factors that may understands the problems of people under and civic engagement. Moreover, contribute to voting when young people 30 and will make education affordable. because young voters make up a large become eligible at age 18. Adolescence However, youth voters surveyed also percentage of the eligible voting population, is an especially important time for social, think that the Republican Party is more engaging them early on in their community moral and identity development, all of capable of protecting the economy and may encourage further civic involvement. which are relevant in the development America’s ability to compete with other Research suggests that today’s college of a civically engaged individual. The ages countries.2 These results highlight some educated Millennial generation (born after between 16 to 24 provide a unique window of the differences in how youth voters are 1985) is more engaged than Generation X for shaping a young person’s political and currently thinking about American politics. 6 (born between 1965 and 1985). While civic engagement and identities.8 Studies Millennials are more engaged in service have shown that non-participation can on the local level, they have mixed feelings continued next page > about formal politics and dislike what they view as a polarized debate with little room I 3

civic engagement and the youth vote continued > perpetuate a cycle of civic exclusion. If demonstration is one example of how self on college campuses has shown that young people do not vote it is likely that efficacy can lead young people to have feel a greater sense of personal their children will neither vote nor be greater civic and political engagement. efficacy, increased awareness of world otherwise civically engaged.3, 5 Adolescence If youth see positive outcomes from problems, heightened awareness of their is a dynamic phase for forming positive their behaviors they may be more likely personal values and a heightened sense civic and voting habits. As adolescents to become engaged again in the future. of civic responsibility after completing a develop a deeper appreciation of the world Researchers suggest that one reason service learning course.10 However, there is around them, they can become more why the youth voter turnout is historically a lack of empirical research showing that aware of ways they might have a positive low may be because young voters believe these positive outcomes extend to actual impact in their neighborhood, school, faith- that their vote will not contribute to voting behaviors. based or other kind of community. Not only real change. Thus, demonstrating the is adolescence a ripe time for fostering civic connection between personal action Social media and the Internet have engagement, but civic engagement can and tangible results can strengthen self also been important tools for involving contribute to overall youth development efficacy and potentially encourage civic adolescents. Non-profits, grassroots as well. activity among adolescents. organizations, political campaigns and even young people themselves, have The developmental concept of self efficacy Empirical studies have shown that used the Internet in creative and powerful sheds light on how youth can become specific kinds of civic engagement, such ways to educate, mobilize, fund raise and more civically engaged.9 Self efficacy is as service learning, relate positively to civically engage the youth vote. While a full the confidence in one’s ability to control later civic engagement and foster feelings discussion of this literature is outside the and execute behaviors that are required of personal efficacy.10 Service learning scope of this brief, social media plays a key to address current and future situations. refers to a specific style of classroom role in understanding the nature of youth Participating in a successful public engagement that mixes community engagement in the political process.11

service with traditional classroom learning. next page > Research on service learning programs

The ages between 16 to 24 provide a unique window for shaping a young person’s political and civic engagement and identities. ISSUE BRIEF I OCTOBER 2012 4 I

Studies have shown that non-participation can perpetuate a cycle of civic exclusion. If young people do not vote it is likely that their children will neither vote nor be otherwise civically engaged.

next page > I 5

INEQUALITY AND POLITICAL ENGAGEMENT increasing involvement in civic programs The youth vote is a diverse group with is not the same as getting young people The inequality varying levels of civic engagement. to register and turnout to vote. Indeed, that is evident in Examining these differences in voter research results are mixed; some results turnout reveals a variety of disparities in indicate that there is not necessarily a the youth voter political participation. Every year there relationship between participation in these are differences in voter turnout among groups and increased voting, while others demographics youth subgroups such as college educated do demonstrate a correlation.12, 13 versus non-college educated voters has implications Addressing the disparity in political and minority versus white voters. While participation among youth voters, and political organizations and campaigns for practice and engaging low income and non-college have spent considerable time and money bound youth is an important civic matter on college campuses to get youth to vote, policy efforts for a variety of reasons. Low income fewer resources have been focused on communities may lack the resources encouraging low-income and non-college to increase the necessary to provide or promote bound youth to vote. Low income and opportunities for civic engagement. political and civic non-college bound youth lag behind in For example, schools in low income levels of civic engagement. Research neighborhoods are less likely to offer engagement of suggests that 37% of non-college youth school based civic learning programs are completely disconnected from civic these groups. and opportunities.14 As was mentioned, life.3 Increases in voting and volunteering research has shown that non-participation are usually the result of young people in civic institutions can perpetuate a cycle from higher-income communities and of civic exclusion. Encouraging children college bound youth getting involved. As to vote and modeling civic engagement the length of adolescence has lengthened, behaviors can address this cycle. Moreover, some researchers suggest that college has non-participation among certain groups become the central institution for civically of voters indicates that our democracy engaging the younger generation.3 Thus, is not a truly representative democracy. non-college bound youth lack access to Historically, these disadvantaged groups institutions and opportunities that would have become highly engaged citizens when encourage civic participation. afforded the same opportunities as other Traditionally, civic engagement of people groups. Some researchers believe that who did not go to college was tracked this change in engagement is often due through their participation in church to increased access to institutions and groups, unions and social movements. opportunities for civic engagement. The However, participation in these institutions inequality that is evident in the youth voter has declined dramatically.4 Between demographics has implications for practice the 1970s and the 2000s, self reports of and policy efforts to increase the political church attendance, union membership and civic engagement of these groups.5 and participation in community groups next page > fell by 5 to 15 percent.4 Researchers now suggest that the military and programs such as AmeriCorps may represent the most effective ways to engage low income and non-college bound youth.4 Even so, ISSUE BRIEF I OCTOBER 2012 6 I

POLICY & PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS For the Youth Vote

YOUTH VOTE ORGANIZATIONS There are a number of factors that can influence youth voting habits. Young people who are personally contacted through canvassing or other voter mobilization techniques are 1 Rock the Vote: Rock the Vote is a more likely to register and subsequently vote.15 In 2008, 84% of registered youth voters private organization that uses music, actually voted.16 Civic education, providing youth with access to information about popular culture, new technologies 16 and grassroots efforts to register political candidates and ease of access to polling stations also impact voting habits. youth voters and encourage them The following are examples of policies and programs that foster civic engagement and to participate in all elections. encourage adolescents to vote. www.rockthevote.com

2 Kids Voting USA: Kids Voting USA is ENHANCING ACCESS TO CIVIC EDUCATION minority youth. Participants are more likely an organization that partners with Interest in civic education has increased to continue volunteering and have careers schools and election officials to provide recently after studies have shown that in public service after their year of service students in kindergarten through high while schools have the potential to is completed.18 Other public initiatives to school with access to a civic education. increase civic development, most could do increase civic engagement include the The program uses classroom instruc- more to promote civic engagement.14 Kids Youth Corps Act of 2012, a bill sponsored tion, dialogue, and a mock Voting USA is an example of a program by Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown, which election to promote long term civic aimed at providing civic education to aims to provide a grant to create a Youth engagement. www.kidsvotingusa.org students in grades K-12. The education Corps program that would provide youth 3 Project Vote: Project Vote is a non- initiative includes a mix of classroom ages 16 to 24 with education and training profit organization that works to materials and experiential learning that to instill a sense of civic engagement and educate and mobilize low-income, allows children to vote in a mock election. to build career skills. minority, youth and other marginalized Independent research has shown that the voters. They have developed innovative NONPARTISAN VOTER REGISTRATION Kids Voting educational approach positively voter registration programs, which AND VOTING EFFORTS impacts the long-term civic engagement of have helped them to register over 5.6 When young voters receive information young people.17 Additionally, this program million voters. www.projectvote.org about candidates and voter registration, has been shown to effectively narrow the 4 Black Youth Project: The Black Youth they are more likely to vote.16 There civic education gap among low income and Project works to educate, mobilize, are a range of national organizations minority students. Notably, Kids Voting and provide a voice for black youth as and programs, such as the Rock the USA increases civic engagement among it relates to their civic engagement. Vote campaign, that are focused on parents as well, by encouraging discussion www.blackyouthproject.com showing people how to register to vote and conversation about the democratic and encouraging them to participate in process at home. elections. In Ohio, the Grads Vote Ohio While many civic education initiatives program, run by the Secretary of State’s are run by private organizations, there office, aims to increase the number of 18 have been some public efforts to increase year olds who are registered to vote. This access to education and information about program provides graduating high school civic duties. AmeriCorps is a program of the seniors with information about how to 19 Corporation for National and Community register and become an active Ohio voter. Service, which is an independent agency of Locally in Cuyahoga County, the Board the federal government. AmeriCorps aims of Elections has a community outreach to strengthen communities and increase effort that organizes registration civic engagement through service and drives at local colleges to encourage college volunteering. Assessments demonstrate students to register and vote. the program’s long-term impact on continued next page > the civic engagement of its volunteers, particularly in engaging low income and I 7

In 2008, 84% of registered youth voters actually voted. Civic education, providing youth with access to information about political candidates and ease of access to polling stations also impact voting habits.

policy & practice implications continued >

The setting of the voting age itself is also IMPROVING VOTING ACCESS: of these and the potential for an important factor in understanding BALLOTS, HOURS, AND ID LAWS disproportionately disenfranchising the youth vote. In 1971, the Twenty-Sixth Policies that restrict or increase access to minority and low-income voters. The Amendment was passed, which lowered polling stations can have implications for Black Youth Project, an organization that the voting age from 21 to 18. This was in how and when youth vote. In 2012, laws supports minority civic engagement, issued part a response to Vietnam War protests, concerning voting hours and the need for a report suggesting that voter ID laws will which argued that soldiers who were old photo identification (IDs) have become disenfranchise minority youth, because enough to fight should be old enough to an important point of debate. This past minorities are less likely than their white vote. In some states, such as Ohio, young year 41 states have introduced legislation counterparts to have a government issued people who are under 18 can register to aimed at restricting voter .21 Nineteen ID.23 Many courts have agreed that voter vote and vote in a primary if their birthday states have successfully passed legislation ID laws are discriminatory, and have ruled falls between the primary and the general to curtail registration or restrict voting against the new laws. election. Lowering the voting age is a topic hours.21 However, many of these laws are of both national and international interest. being contested in the courts. In August of State voter laws can also have a positive Most countries have a voting age of 18, this year, a federal judge ordered that early affect on youth voting. For instance, seven but Australia, Scotland and Brazil are a few voting the weekend prior to the election out of the top ten youth turnout states of the countries that have a voting age of be restored in Ohio, after the Secretary of had laws that allowed for Election day 16.20 Lowering the US voting age to 16 has State removed all night and weekend hours registration, voting by mail and/or did not 24 become a campaign topic for organizations for the early voting period.22 Seventeen require registration to vote. In 2008, on such as the National Youth Rights states have also enacted voter ID laws, average, 59% of youth voted in states with Association. The NYRA supports local and which now require a person to show photo Election Day registration, which is nine state legislative efforts to lower the voting identification when they vote.21 Debates percentage points above youth who lived 24 age. Supporters of lowering the voting age have centered on the constitutionality in a state without such laws. While some argue it is fair for a number of reasons, policies restrict youth voter turnout, others, including because working youth pay taxes such as election day registration, can have and because all young people, whether an important positive impact on the youth working, not working or emancipated, vote. next page > are impacted by public laws, funding and policies.20 < back to page 1 ISSUE BRIEF I OCTOBER 2012

References: 1 Kirby, E. H., & Kawashima-Ginsberg, K. (2009). 13 Anderson, L. M., & Fabiano, L. (2007). The city year The youth vote in 2008. Tufts University Center experience: Putting alumni on the path to lifelong for Information and Research on Civic Learning civic engagement. and Engagement. 14 Tufts University Center for Information and 2 Garfield Institute for Public Leadership. (2012). Research on Civic Learning and Engagement. Generation Y (18-29 year olds) nationwide (2010). The civic mission of schools: A review of voter survey. the research.

3 Kawashima-Ginsberg, K. (2011). Understanding 15 The George Washington University Graduate a diverse generation: Youth civic engagement School of Political Management. (2006). Young in the United States. Tufts University Center for voter mobilization tactics: A compilation of the Information and Research on Civic Learning and most recent research on traditional and innovative Engagement. voter turnout techniques. Tufts University Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning 4 Flanagan, C., Levine, P., & Settersten, R. (2009). and Engagement. Civic engagement and the changing transition to adulthood. Tufts University Center for Information 16 Tufts University Center for Information and and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement. Research on Civic Learning and Engagement. (2011). Quick facts: Youth voting. Retrieved October 5 Zaff, J. F., Youniss, J., & Gibson, C. M. (2009). 1, 2012, from http://www.civicyouth.org/quick- An inequitable invitation to citizenship: Non- facts/youth-voting/#1 college-bound youth and civic engagement. Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement (PACE). 17 Kids Voting USA. (2012). Research summary. Retrieved October 1, 2012, from http:// 6 Kiesa, A., Orlowski, A. P., Levine, P., Both, D., Kirby, kidsvotingusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/ E. H., Lopez, M. H., & Marcelos, K. B. (2007). 04/KV-research-summary.pdf Millennials talk politics: A study of college student political engagement. Tufts University Center 18 AmeriCorps. (2012). Impact of AmeriCorps. for Information and Research on Civic Learning Retrieved October 1, 2012, from http://www. and Engagement. americorps.gov/about/role_impact/index.asp

7 PEW Research Center. (2012). Youth engagement 19 Office of the Ohio Secretary of State. (2012). falls; registration also declines. Retrieved Grads vote. Retrieved October 1, 2012, from October 1, 2012, from http://www.people- http://www.sos.state.oh.us/sos/upload/sites/ press.org/2012/09/28/youth-engagement- gradsvote/index.html falls-registration-also-declines/ 20 National Youth Rights Association. Top ten 8 Flanagan, C., & Faison, N. (2001). Youth civic reasons to lower the voting age. Retrieved October development: Implications of research for social 1, 2012, from http://www.youthrights.org/issues/ policy and programs. Social Policy Report: Society voting-age/top-ten-reasons-to-lower-the- for Research in Child Development, XV(1). voting-age/

9 Wilkenfeld, B., Lauckhardt, J., & Torney-Purta, J. 21 Brennan Center for Justice. (2012). 2012 summary (2010). The relation between developmental of voting changes. Retrieved October 1, 2012, theory and measures of civic engagement in from http://www.brennancenter.org/content/ research on adolescents. Handbook of research on resource/2012_summary_of_voting_law_ civic engagement in youth. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. changes/

10 Astin, A. W., Vogelgesang, L. J., Ikeda, E. K., & 22 OFA v. H: Obama for America v. Husted. Yee, J. A. (2000). Executive summary: How service U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio learning affects students. Los Angeles: Higher (Filed June 17, 2012). Education Research Institute. 23 Rogowski, J. C., & Cohen, C. J. (2012). Turning back 11 Montgomery, K., Gottlieb-Robles, B., & the clock on voting rights: The impact of new Larson G. O. (2004). Youth as e-citizens: Engaging photo identification requirement on young people the digital generation. Center for Social Media of color. Black Youth Project. School of Communication American University. 24. Kawashima-Ginsberg, K., Nover, A., & Kirby, E. H. 12 Finlay, A. K., Flanagan, C., & Wray-Lake, L. (2011). (2009). State election law reform and youth voter The impact of AmeriCorps on voting. Tufts turnout. Tufts University Center for Information University Center for Information and Research and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement. on Civic Learning and Engagement.

SCHUBERT CENTER FOR CHILD STUDIES Director: Jill Korbin, PhD Director, Child Policy: Gabriella Celeste, JD Assistant Director: Sarah Robinson Graduate Assistant: Kelley Kampman

Schubert Center for Child Studies 615 CRAWFORD HALL 10900 EUCLID AVENUE CLEVELAND, OHIO 44106-7179 p: 216.368.0540 I f: 216.368.1196 I e: [email protected] I w: schubert.cwru.edu design: christine grieves, OhG design