Voter registration initiatives

There is strong evidence that voter registration initiatives increase voter registration and voting^{6, 7, 8, 9}.

Automatic voter registration (AVR) appears to significantly increase voter registration⁸ and voting^{6, 9} in states with active policies. Oregon was the first state to implement an AVR law, in 2016¹⁰. Oregon’s AVR law appears to increase voter registration among those who were otherwise unlikely to register, as well as increase voting⁹. A version of AVR that automatically re-registers individuals, as opposed to individuals who are unregistered, significantly increases voter turnout, particularly among voters registered as Republican or non-partisan, with no effect among voters registered as Democrat⁶. Experts suggest that aligning data collection in U.S. states using AVR would improve analyses of its effects¹¹. In the current U.S. model, eligible voters can decline registration at point of enrollment (front-end) or submit an opt-out form after registration (back-end)^{8, 12}. AVR models which are more automatic and universal have been proposed in the U.S.; in some states, AVR’s reach may be limited to specific agencies, like the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMVs)^{1, 8}. However, compared to same-day registration or other initiatives focused on individuals already intending to vote, AVR reaches a larger pool of individuals, including those who may not have been planning to register or vote; experts suggest AVR’s effects on voting may emerge over the long-term¹⁰. AVR may increase political participation among those who choose to vote, following automatic registration⁹.

Same-day registration eases registration requirements by allowing eligible voters the convenience of registering to vote the same day they cast a ballot¹³. Same-day registration increases registration and voting among individuals ages 18-24 and is a preferred registration method for this group¹⁴. Other studies suggest same-day and election-day registration increase voting among individuals who use these processes^{15, 16, 17, 18}. More research is needed to understand the effects of same-day registration on registered voter demographics¹⁹.

Online voter registration allows eligible voters to submit registration forms electronically through a secure online portal^{2, 20}. Online registration may increase voter turnout among young people²¹, especially during presidential election years; young people may prefer online registration, which may in turn increase their political participation⁷. Electronic registration allows eligible voters to submit voter registration forms electronically when conducting business at a government office and is a key part of implementing AVR². Experts suggest that modernized voter registration systems, which feature online registration, electronic registration, or both, may speed up the registration process, be more accurate than paper systems, and increase registration rates²².

Voter registration drives on college campuses can expand access to registration for individuals aged 18-24, a group that has historically had low voter turnout and often needs to re-register to vote due to address changes^{3, 23}. A study at a Texas college suggests that students who registered at an on-campus voter registration drive voted at higher rates than other individuals aged 18-24³. In a multi-state study, brief presentations on voting registration by college professors or student volunteers, followed by an opportunity to register to vote, led to increases in student registrations and voting²³.

Expanding the number of registration sites to include locations that are regularly used by those eligible to vote, like health care settings and tax agencies, may increase voter registration^{4, 5, 24}. Mandatory registration sites at public institutions require agencies to serve as a registration site but do not require individuals to register to vote; currently, many sites are discretionary²⁴. Experts suggest that increasing the number of mandatory registration sites at public institutions, such as public schools, could increase access for all 18-year-olds enrolled in these institutions²⁴. Experts recommend expanding voter registration resources at health care organizations and social service agencies^{4, 25}, as well as giving individuals the opportunity to register to vote during tax preparation or filing⁵. A program to register individuals to vote at income tax assistance centers, which primarily serve individuals with lower incomes and from minority groups, doubled registration rates among those previously unregistered⁵, which may support civic participation.

Most U.S. states which have adopted modernized voter registration reforms (i.e., online registration and electronic registration) and versions of AVR to reduce registration barriers, report administrative savings, increased accuracy in registration data, and modest start-up costs^{1, 2}. Changing public schools to mandatory voting registration sites, instead of discretionary ones, may lower the economic costs for individuals registering to vote²⁴. Integrating voter registration into tax filing has been proposed as a low cost approach because it would use existing infrastructure, have minimal training and implementation costs, and is administratively efficient⁵.

Available evidence indicates that people with better physical and mental health have greater civic participation, including voting, volunteering, and membership in community groups and organizations, such as recreational teams or community gardens^{26, 27}. Experts recommend encouraging civic participation from a young age to build a lifelong commitment to community engagement²⁷. Poor physical and mental health can increase social isolation and may reduce civic participation. Individuals who experience negative health outcomes at a young age may be less likely to participate in civic engagement activities later in life. Additional research is needed to assess how individuals’ civic participation can support improvements to community infrastructure and policies that promote community health, which may in turn increase health equity²⁶. Evidence suggests that civic participation may be associated with improved self-reported health, well-being, and emotional health; increased physical activity; and a greater sense of community²⁷.

The U.S. census tracks voter demographic characteristics and offers maps and other visualizations of voting and registration in the U.S.²⁸. The National Association of Secretaries of State compiles resources in English and Spanish to help individuals understand their voting eligibility, registration status, how to register, where to vote, and more²⁹.

As of February 2023, versions of automatic voter registration (AVR) laws have been implemented in 22 states and Washington, D.C. States with more robust ARV systems offer a back-end opt-out, so eligible individuals are registered by default but can easily decline, as in Alaska, Colorado, Delaware, Massachusetts, and Oregon. Some states have also expanded the types of registering agencies beyond Departments of Motor Vehicles (DMVs) to include other state agencies, as well as health benefit exchanges, mobility certification offices, and tribal agencies. Alaska registers individuals through interactions with its Permanent Dividend Fund. AVR can also ease states’ voter registration list maintenance as it automatically updates existing registrant information with a current address³⁰. Multiple proposals have been made in the U.S. to implement national versions of AVR. U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) led proposals in 2017 and 2022 for the Register America to Vote Act, based on AVR’s increasing adoption in the U.S. The Register America to Vote Act would require states to automatically register eligible individuals to vote when they turn 18, require states’ DMVs to automatically register individuals, and provide $3 billion USD in grants for states to implement the proposal^{31, 32}.

Some health care organizations are partnering with non-profits, like Vot-ER, to connect patients with voter registration resources³³. Med Out the Vote, an initiative of the American Medical Student Association (AMSA), partners with health institutions to promote voting resources for everyone in their system including students, staff, and patients³⁴. Massachusetts General Hospital has implemented iPad-based kiosks for patients, visitors, and staff to check their voter registration status and register to vote³⁵.