About 4 million Americans will turn 18 in 2026, but if past trends continue, fewer than one-third will be registered to vote in the November elections. Laura W Brill, founder and CEO of the Civics Center, argues that automatically registering every American upon coming of age would be the fairest and most effective way to protect US democracy, yet the current electoral system does the opposite.
Low Registration Rates Among Youth
Every year, millions of 18-year-old Americans go unregistered and excluded from the electoral process. In a typical midterm year, US census data shows fewer than 30% are registered to vote, compared with nearly 75% of those aged 45 and up. Because they are outside state voter files, candidates, campaigns, and pollsters ignore them. Their voices and energy go untapped, and their policy needs go unfunded.
Conventional wisdom suggests many teens simply do not care about politics, as less than half of 18- to 24-year-olds voted in the past three presidential elections, versus more than two-thirds of those over 45. However, when 18-year-olds are registered, they turn out at nearly the same rates as older voters. In Pennsylvania, for example, more than 80% of registered 18-year-olds voted in the 2020 and 2024 general elections.
Barriers to Youth Registration
Low turnout stems not from apathy but from lack of access and support. Systems fail to welcome young voters into democracy as soon as they are eligible. Although many states allow pre-registration at ages 15, 16, or 17, millions remain unregistered by their first election at 18. The barriers are not well known. The 1993 Motor Voter law made state DMVs the main voter registration agencies, and 24 states plus Washington DC have full or partial automatic registration for drivers. However, these systems can be poorly designed, causing many eligible teens to opt out. In California, up to 45% opt out, according to state data.
Teen driving rates have dropped dramatically; today only 44% of 17-year-olds and 60% of 18-year-olds have licenses. That amounts to 4.25 million young Americans who do not go to the DMV as they come of age. For non-drivers, online registration is an option, but 29 state systems require a driver's license or state ID to complete the form. This also affects millions of adults without licenses. Many teens are not equipped to manage paper forms without expert help.
A Practical Solution: High School Registration
A sustainable, practical, and cost-effective solution is to make voter registration a normal part of high school before graduation. While 40% of Americans do not attend college, virtually everyone is enrolled in high school. This allows reaching them in a trusted community space and teaching both how and why to vote. Most states already have laws requiring high schools to help with registration, but they are often ignored. Only three states—Tennessee, Louisiana, and Maine—have designated high schools as voter registration agencies.
The worst performers in registering teens, at less than 25%, include purple states like Pennsylvania and Ohio, as well as Connecticut and Alabama. The good news is that some states have dramatically improved: Oregon registers 86% of teens and Michigan 77%. This proves the problem is fixable. Kids in those states are not more engaged; their states have simply made it easier to access political power.
Community and Legislative Action Needed
Groups like the Civics Center and the League of Women Voters work to help high school students register. Alongside community efforts, laws and leaders should prioritize empowering young voters by enacting and promoting pre-registration laws and building manageable onramps to democracy. Registering to vote should become a rite of passage for young Americans, regardless of race, zip code, or college attendance. Until state leaders act, it falls on students, teachers, parents, and local communities to get kids ready for November and beyond.
Laura W Brill notes that it is inspiring to see high school students take the lead and embrace their capacity to make a difference. They gain confidence as they talk with peers, organize, and envision a future together. Drives are a real-life celebration of democracy, and every student is invited. When one student learns to register, they can activate their whole school, motivate others, and involve friends, family, and community. Teens are part of We the People. They have the right to vote at 18, the power to register before then, and the capacity to understand, participate, and lead.
