Published by Tufts University, Tisch College, and CIRCLE (Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement)
Many institutions and communities can help increase youth voting and participation in democracy. Different stakeholders will approach these efforts with different goals: some may want to address inequities in civic participation for a more representative electorate, some build a broad base of political power, and others simply to win the next election.
CIRCLE’s Youth Electoral Significance Index (YESI) is a valuable tool for any individual, campaign, organization, or institution that is working toward one or more of those goals. The index provides data-driven rankings of the top 10 states and congressional districts where young voters have the highest potential to influence results in the next election. The YESI can help stakeholders identify places where additional efforts and resources to turn out the youth vote could be decisive; it can also be a tool for broadening engagement if efforts focus on reaching youth who have not historically participated.