Bill Overview
Title: Youth Voting Rights Act
Description: This bill expands voting access for youth. Specifically, the bill establishes a private right of action to enforce the Twenty-Sixth Amendment, which prohibits denying or abridging the right to vote based on age. Additionally, the bill directs each state to designate as voter registration agencies all offices within public institutions of higher education (IHEs) that provide assistance to students, implement a preregistration process to allow minors who are 16 years or older to register to vote in federal elections that take place when or after the preregistered individual turns age 18, and ensure the availability of polling places on campuses of IHEs (with the availability of waivers). The bill prohibits durational residency requirements for voting in all federal elections. Currently, this prohibition applies only to voting for the offices of President and Vice President. States and local jurisdictions with voter identification requirements must treat IHE-issued student identification cards as voter identification. The Election Assistance Commission (EAC) must make grants to states to increase the involvement of individuals under age 18 in public election activities. The Government Accountability Office must report to Congress on trends related to voter registration, absentee voting, and provisional voting. The EAC must also collect and make publicly available certain data from states.
Sponsors: Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]
Target Audience
Population: Youth aged 16-24 globally
Estimated Size: 63000000
- The bill targets young individuals, particularly those in the age group 16-24, considering the expansion of voter registration and preregistration initiatives.
- The bill impacts all U.S. states as it directs them to implement changes regarding youth voter access.
- The legislation affects educational institutions, especially at the post-secondary level, as they must act as voter registration agencies and provide polling places.
Reasoning
- The Youth Voting Rights Act is mainly targeted at young people aged 16-24 across the United States, particularly focusing on those attending public institutions of higher education.
- The budget constraints and the target population size suggest that the policy will be implemented widely but may be more impactful in areas with higher concentrations of youth and educational institutions.
- Though it is designed to assist all young voters, those in states with stricter voter ID laws or fewer voting facilities may experience more pronounced benefits.
- Considering the pre-registration aspect, impacts will predominantly affect 16-17 year olds initially and progressively influence individuals as they turn 18.
Simulated Interviews
College Student (New York, NY)
Age: 18 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe it's a great idea to make voting more accessible to students like me. Using my student ID to vote will definitely be convenient.
- Political participation is important at this stage, and this act supports our engagement.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
College Student (Austin, TX)
Age: 20 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's cool that they are accepting student IDs as valid identification. Kind of makes it easier to get involved.
- Having more polling places on campus will make voting less of a hassle.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
College Student (Chicago, IL)
Age: 19 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I support the idea of making voting easier. Bringing polling to campus would help me a lot given my transport issues.
- Youth engagement in politics is crucial.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Graduate Student (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 23 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm optimistic about the bill, it encourages people my age to participate in elections more effortlessly.
- Given the student involvement in local issues, this will definitely raise our voice.
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 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
High School Student (Denver, CO)
Age: 17 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Pre-registering seems useful. It feels empowering to know I'm already on the registry when I turn 18.
- Facilitating early involvement in elections is a smart move.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Unemployed (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 21 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.5 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm hoping this act makes it easier for people like me who've just moved to keep participating.
- I've had issues with voting due to ID laws, so student IDs being accepted will help others who are still students.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 3 |
Vocational Student (Columbus, OH)
Age: 18 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think it's fair for youths to have easy access to voting, though I haven't voted before.
- Maybe this will encourage me to take part?
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 3 |
High School Student (Orlando, FL)
Age: 16 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The idea of pre-registering is great! It makes me more excited about the first time I get to vote.
- Being involved early helps us feel more connected to the process.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Full-time Worker (Salt Lake City, UT)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.5 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If this policy makes voting quicker, it might coax some of us busy young people to participate.
- I personally don't see much change for myself, but it's a step in the right direction.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 3 |
Farm Worker (Rural Iowa)
Age: 24 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Anything that simplifies the voting process is positive, but I don't see this change affecting me a lot day-to-day.
- Maybe if there were more initiatives for rural areas, it would matter more to my community.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 3 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $250000000 (Low: $200000000, High: $300000000)
Year 2: $200000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $250000000)
Year 3: $150000000 (Low: $100000000, High: $200000000)
Year 5: $125000000 (Low: $85000000, High: $160000000)
Year 10: $100000000 (Low: $60000000, High: $140000000)
Year 100: $75000000 (Low: $45000000, High: $105000000)
Key Considerations
- The implementation of mandatory preregistration for minors would require technological and administrative updates across states.
- IHEs acting as voter registration agencies might require additional resources for compliance.
- Potential pushback or litigation from regions with strict voter ID laws considering this amendment will require them to relax their policies.
- The financial and operational readiness of Election Assistance Commission to manage and distribute grants effectively.