Case studies Campaigns and civic participation
Engaging the Next Generation
College-age Mainers cared about issues but voted at lower rates than any other group. A coalition of civic partners asked us to help change that.
- Client
- Coalition of civic partners, Maine
- Engagement
- Statewide youth voter participation
- Our role
- Program design and lead
Results
State record
Largest increase in college-age voter participation in Maine’s history
Double digits
Turnout growth among 18 to 24 year olds over the previous cycle
Adopted
Model now used by other state and campus civic groups
Background
Young Mainers followed the issues but turned out at lower rates than any other age group.
The coalition wanted voting to become a normal part of campus life.
Our work
Research on barriers
Surveys, digital analysis, and campus interviews showed the main barriers were confusion about registration, logistics, and doubt that one vote mattered.
Young voters speaking to peers
Young Mainers explained, in their own words, why they vote.
Student ambassadors
Trained ambassadors on campuses statewide ran registration drives and answered questions about the ballot and absentee voting.
Daily adjustments
Live data moved resources to the campuses and channels that were working.
Outcome
The program produced the largest increase in college-age voter participation in Maine’s history, with double-digit turnout growth among 18 to 24 year olds over the previous cycle. Other state and campus civic organizations now use the model.
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