Bill Overview
Title: PROVE Act
Description: This bill requires each state to implement a preregistration process under which individuals age 16 or older may apply to register to vote in federal elections. Further, states must ensure that eligible preregistered individuals are registered to vote in federal elections held on or after the date the individual turns age 18. The Election Assistance Commission must make grants to states to increase the involvement of individuals under age 18 in public election activities.
Sponsors: Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals aged 16 and 17 globally
Estimated Size: 17000000
- The bill is focused on changing the voter registration process in the United States.
- It targets individuals who are aged 16 and 17, allowing them to preregister to vote.
- Those who will turn 18 in the near future and become eligible voters will be impacted as it smooths their transition into the voter registration process.
- By incentivizing states to engage individuals under 18 in election activities, it may also impact civic education for this age group.
Reasoning
- The primary impact of the PROVE Act is on young individuals aged 16 to 17, a population of approximately 17 million in the U.S.
- The effect of allowing preregistration is expected to influence their engagement in civic duties and future voter turnout.
- Funding is allocated to also promote their engagement in election activities, enriching their civic education.
- Overall impact is expected to scale gradually as these young individuals utilize preregistration and early involvement opportunities.
- The cost of the policy should allow for significant outreach and registration resources given the number of eligible individuals.
- A diversity of backgrounds and locations need to be represented in the interviews to capture varied impacts.
Simulated Interviews
High School Student (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 16 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think preregistration is useful. It makes voting less intimidating when we turn 18.
- Being involved in election activities through the grant program would give me more insight into how elections work.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
High School Student (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 17 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy gives us a head start to be ready once we're 18.
- I look forward to possibly working on campaigns through the state grants.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
College Student, non-impacted (Austin, TX)
Age: 18 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy doesn't really change anything for me personally, but I think it's great for younger teens.
- The earlier you're involved, the more you care about voting.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
High School Student (New York, NY)
Age: 16 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 1.5 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm not too concerned with voting yet, but I guess it's good to have this option when I'm ready.
- Extra activities might boost my interest in understanding how the government works.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Part-time retail worker, High School Student (Detroit, MI)
Age: 17 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 2.5 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I may preregister, but it depends on how easy they make it.
- More chances to actually experience election stuff would be cool though.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
College Student, non-impacted (Seattle, WA)
Age: 20 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While the policy doesn't affect me now, I support it for future voters.
- I think early engagement leads to lifelong civic commitment.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
High School Student (Rural Iowa)
Age: 16 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Preregistration isn't something I've thought about.
- If the state offers something interesting with the grants, I'd consider participating.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
High School Student (Chicago, IL)
Age: 16 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Preregistration helps me feel prepared to vote right when I turn 18.
- The grants could make school activities about elections more serious.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
High School Civics Teacher (Miami, FL)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This kind of policy makes my job easier by laying a foundation for student engagement.
- It makes their transition to voter more seamless, an educator's dream!
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Young professional, non-impacted (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 23 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I missed out on this when I was younger, but I think it's crucial now to support youth engagement.
- The policy's focus on education and practical experience is fantastic.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $150000000 (Low: $120000000, High: $180000000)
Year 2: $150000000 (Low: $120000000, High: $180000000)
Year 3: $155000000 (Low: $125000000, High: $185000000)
Year 5: $160000000 (Low: $130000000, High: $190000000)
Year 10: $200000000 (Low: $160000000, High: $240000000)
Year 100: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $600000000)
Key Considerations
- The need for infrastructure and procedural changes in state election systems.
- The role of federal grants in encouraging state compliance and implementation.
- Potential data security and privacy considerations with preregistration at a younger age.