The Iowa Caucus on March 3 set the stage for young voters to make their voices heard. Twenty-four percent of caucus goers were ages 17-29 (up from just 18% in 2016). (If you want to read more interesting statistics about the youth vote in the Iowa Caucus and what it might mean for youth engagement in the election overall, I strongly suggest CIRCLE’s analysis of the exit polls.)
As more states prepare for caucuses and primaries, GODORT (ALA’s Government Documents Round Table) has put together an impressive list of resources. You’ll find information on:
- How to get registered (deadlines, requirements and more)
- Voter rights
- Spanish language resources
- What will be on the ballot
- Lesson and classroom plans about elections
As CIRCLE points out in their analysis of exit poll data from Iowa, caucuses and primaries are a measurement of the most engaged voters. If Iowa marks a trend, then youth voting could be increased in the national election in November (perhaps topping the 39% of eligible voters 17-29 who turned out to polls in 2016).
Resources like the one from GODORT and statistics from organizations like CIRCLE can help YALSA members prepare the teens we serve to participate and vote (if they are eligible) in the next election.
