1. DEMOCRACY NORTH CAROLINA www.democracy-nc.org NC Youth Voter Pre-Registration & Education Register Early, Vote Forever

2. DEMOCRACY NORTH CAROLINA www.democracy-nc.org What is early registration? North Carolina now allows 16 and 17 year olds who will not be 18 by General Election day to go ahead and “pre-register” to vote. The law also encourages additional instruction in high schools concerning the importance of registration and voting.

3. DEMOCRACY NORTH CAROLINA www.democracy-nc.org Why early registration? Most students are 16 when they take civics in high school and when they go to the DMV for a driver’s license, so it’s the ideal time to sign them up as future voters.

4. DEMOCRACY NORTH CAROLINA www.democracy-nc.org Why early registration? Students are already required to learn about the voting process; early registration makes this learning more relevant. Students are already required to learn about the voting process; early registration makes this learning more relevant. Early registration fosters respect, responsibility, and citizenship. Early registration fosters respect, responsibility, and citizenship. Over 80% of adult citizens over 40 are registered, but less than 60% of voters under 25 are registered. Over 80% of adult citizens over 40 are registered, but less than 60% of voters under 25 are registered.

5. DEMOCRACY NORTH CAROLINA www.democracy-nc.org Potential Impact Total Number of 16-17 year olds receiving their NC Driver’s License: 2006 – 127,989 2007 – 127,237 2008 – 122,509

6. DEMOCRACY NORTH CAROLINA www.democracy-nc.org How does it work? The basic registration form is used, with a new box explaining the pre-registration option for 16 and 17-year-olds who will not be 18 by the day of the next general election.The basic registration form is used, with a new box explaining the pre-registration option for 16 and 17-year-olds who will not be 18 by the day of the next general election. When the pre-registered teenager becomes old enough to register, they are automatically registered to vote by the Board of Elections and the normal verification process for all new registered voters will take place at that time, including verification of the ID number and residential address.When the pre-registered teenager becomes old enough to register, they are automatically registered to vote by the Board of Elections and the normal verification process for all new registered voters will take place at that time, including verification of the ID number and residential address.

7. DEMOCRACY NORTH CAROLINA www.democracy-nc.org

8. Resources for Educators The NC Civic Education Consortium has lesson plans about the importance of voting and pre-registration for use in NC class rooms.The NC Civic Education Consortium has lesson plans about the importance of voting and pre-registration for use in NC class rooms. http://www.civics.org Kids Voting NC has resources for student councils and youth groups.Kids Voting NC has resources for student councils and youth groups. www.kidsvotingnc.org

9. DEMOCRACY NORTH CAROLINA www.democracy-nc.org What can you do to help? Talk to local educators and school administrators Talk to local educators and school administrators Organize a youth voter registration drive Organize a youth voter registration drive Contact Democracy NC for more ideas! Contact Democracy NC for more ideas!

10. DEMOCRACY NORTH CAROLINA www.democracy-nc.org Who endorses early or “pre-registration”? ELECTED LEADERS Pre-registration was passed into law with strong bi- partisan support during the 2009 NC legislative session. Rep. Tricia Cotham (D-Mecklenburg) and Rep. Justin Burr (R-Stanly), the two youngest NC legislators, were lead co- sponsors of the bill. ORGANIZATIONS League of Women Voters of North Carolina, Democracy North Carolina, Fair Vote NC, American Association of University Women – NC, NC Center for Voter Education, NC Civic Education Consortium, Action for Children NC, Common Cause NC (partial list).