Teacher Tea
The Role of Schools in Shaping Young Voters
How can we encourage our current students to be interested in their civic duties?
Today’s article comes from The Hechinger Report: “College Student Voting Is Way Up,” by Jon Marcus. Current college student behavior is a good indicator of what efforts have been effective from their K-12 experience, and might provide clues for teachers who want to encourage their younger students to reflect on their own responsibilities as citizens. In this article, Marcus talks about the significant increase in college student voter turnout, particularly during the 2020 election and the 2022 midterms. One of the primary factors for this increase is the heightened awareness of critical issues, such as climate change, abortion laws, and gun safety, which resonate deeply with younger voters.
Despite historically low participation rates, more than half of Americans aged 18 to 24 voted in the 2020 election, with college students voting at even higher rates—66%. According to the article, this engagement is driven by a desire for political change and an awareness of the youth’s collective power, as evidenced by their impact on key Senate races in battleground states.
Efforts to increase youth voter registration are also notable, with organizations like Vote.org reporting record numbers of registrations among young voters. But challenges persist. New voting restrictions have been enacted in several states, and a general sense of disillusionment among some students about the voting process is becoming more pervasive.
Colleges, such as The College of New Jersey, have implemented strategies to encourage voting, including voter registration contests and community service courses focused on civic engagement. Overall, Marcus emphasizes that, while progress is evident, sustained efforts are needed to ensure high turnout among young voters in future elections.
Understanding current political debates is essential for students, even before they’re old enough to vote, so that they can one day become engaged citizens. Civic education early on helps them grasp the issues that shape their communities and nation, which fosters critical thinking skills and encourages civic participation. Students can develop their own informed opinions by learning about different perspectives and analyzing opposing arguments.