Description
The report covers the problem of low youth voter turnout internationally, explores its causes and suggests practical ways to raise young people’s interest and participation in politics. This includes making it easier to register to vote, supporting educational initiatives on democracy, encouraging preparatory elections such as mock elections and lowering the voting age. The report includes statistical illustrations, graphics and samples of posters and voter materials from around the world.
In many countries, particularly in Latin America and newly-established democracies, people have expressed deep concern not only about the overall low level of participation, but especially among specific groups like youth, women, and the indigenous population. In 1997, the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) published a report that analyzed statistics from more than 1,400 parliamentary and presidential elections held between 1945 and 1997 in over 170 countries. Among the findings of the report is that turnout across the globe rose steadily between 1945 and 1990, increasing from 61% in the 1940s to 68% in the 1980s. But since 1990 the average has decreased to 64%.
Increasing reluctance among youth to participate in politics and exercise the right to vote is particularly alarming and amounts to a weakening of democracy. Therefore, it is imperative to reverse this trend and re-engage youth in the political and democratic process. This project takes the first step in that direction by documenting the scope and pervasiveness of the problem internationally, exploring its causes, and identifying possible solutions in the form of innovative ideas and concrete programmes to raise youth interest and participation.
International IDEA is ideally suited to undertake such a project. The Institute has in-house knowledge and a worldwide network of experts on these issues. It also has compiled the most comprehensive database of voter turnout statistics in the world. Through close co-operation with member countries and non-governmental organizations in all parts of the world, International IDEA is well-positioned to address this issue on a global scale. The theme chosen for its 1999 Democracy Forum is Youth and Democracy. It is inspired by the same concerns that provide the rationale for this study: the challenge of ensuring a vibrant democracy by reaching out to young people and involving them in the decisions that will shape their future.
Structure of the Report
The report is divided into four parts. Part I focuses on the unique role of elections — and the dangers of abstention — in a democratic society, with particular emphasis on the importance of the youth vote. Part II describes various techniques for measuring turnout, documents the scope of the problem with comparative data in national parliamentary elections in 15 European democracies, and analyses the reasons for low youth turnout. It also expresses the opinions and views of young people themselves through specially commissioned interviews that were conducted in several countries worldwide. Part III proposes a variety of activities on different levels available to governmental and non-governmental actors involved in drawing young citizens into the electoral arena. Finally, Part IV shows some of these strategies in action by outlining specific programmes for increasing youth participation in Chile, Russia, South Africa and the United States.
Definition of "Youth"
For purposes of this project, "youth" generally refers to young people under 30, with the voting age, 18 in the vast majority of countries, serving as the lower limit. The presentation and discussion of some programmes, however, concern children and teenagers below the voting age. Strategies aimed at more specific age groups are included in Part III.
Acknowledgements
This book is the result of the efforts and contributions of a great number of people.
A special thanks to Project Manager, Daniela Capaccio, and to all the writers – Dr Wolfgang Hirczy de Mino, Eva Anduiza Perea, Mónica Jiménez de Barros, Pedro Mujica Barrientos, Leanne McDonald, Catherine Barnes, Julie Ballington, Glenda Fick, Munroe Eagles and Thomas Jacobson – for their co-operation and valuable input. Thanks also to Anne Pandolfi for her work in co-ordinating the reporters responsible for conducting the interviews with young people.
Much gratitude is owed to the various organizations for permitting the use of the visuals throughout the book. Thanks also to the editorial advisory consultants, Professor Stephen E. Bennett and Dr Wolfgang Hirczy de Mino.
