Creating Infographics to Promote Youth Voter Engagement

Summary

In this CCP, 11th-grade students investigated the issue of low voter turnout among 18–23-year-olds, a group often underrepresented in elections due to barriers like voter ID laws, registration difficulties, misinformation, and limited outreach. Although plans to partner with local election officials fell through due to scheduling conflicts, students remained committed to exploring the driving question: “Why do young people vote at lower rates, and what can be done to change that?” Through independent research and analysis of case studies, students developed a series of informative infographics aimed at educating their peers on the obstacles young voters face. These infographics were showcased in class, sparking meaningful conversations about civic engagement and responsibility.

Takeaways

A challenge for students was narrowing down such a broad and complex issue into focused, actionable ideas. That said, this became a valuable learning opportunity—they gained experience in synthesizing information and communicating it effectively through visual design.

A major success was the level of engagement and critical thinking students demonstrated throughout the project. Many expressed that they now better understand the voting process and the barriers their peers face, and several showed a genuine interest in civic participation moving forward. While full implementation wasn’t possible, the project sparked meaningful dialogue and planted the seeds for future advocacy.

Advice

My biggest piece of advice is to embrace flexibility and trust the process. Community-centered projects are messy by nature—in a good way. Let students explore, wrestle with complex ideas, and take ownership, even if it feels a bit unstructured at first. The learning that comes from that discomfort is often the most meaningful.