@samnovey.bsky.social
Reposted
Thousands are hosting voter registration drives today to celebrate #NationalVoterRegistrationDay. These actions matter even as "automatic" voter registration and other policy reforms expand.
cdce.substack.com/p/why-policy...
cdce.substack.com/p/why-policy...
Why policy reforms can't replace voter registration drives
Thousands are hosting voter registration drives today to celebrate National Voter Registration Day. These actions matter even as "automatic" voter registration and other policy reforms expand.
cdce.substack.com
September 16, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Thousands are hosting voter registration drives today to celebrate #NationalVoterRegistrationDay. These actions matter even as "automatic" voter registration and other policy reforms expand.
cdce.substack.com/p/why-policy...
cdce.substack.com/p/why-policy...
Very concerned about the numbers for Baltimore City here!
We should be helping *all* our eligible new voters get registered and ready to vote regardless of whether they get a drivers license.
We should be helping *all* our eligible new voters get registered and ready to vote regardless of whether they get a drivers license.
Our new analysis with the Maryland Democracy Initiative and @thecivicscenter.bsky.social reveals a key link between young drivers and young voters in Maryland.
Counties with fewer young drivers are struggling to serve 18-year-old voters.
Counties with fewer young drivers are struggling to serve 18-year-old voters.
August 4, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Very concerned about the numbers for Baltimore City here!
We should be helping *all* our eligible new voters get registered and ready to vote regardless of whether they get a drivers license.
We should be helping *all* our eligible new voters get registered and ready to vote regardless of whether they get a drivers license.
Reposted
Maryland has relatively strong youth voter registration rates, but that’s not the full story.
Major disparities exist between counties.
Major disparities exist between counties.
August 4, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Maryland has relatively strong youth voter registration rates, but that’s not the full story.
Major disparities exist between counties.
Major disparities exist between counties.
Reposted
A major factor is whether young people have a driver’s license.
Driver’s license attainment is correlated with voter registration and pre-registration rates for 16-, 17-, and 18-year-olds.
Driver’s license attainment is correlated with voter registration and pre-registration rates for 16-, 17-, and 18-year-olds.
August 4, 2025 at 7:01 PM
A major factor is whether young people have a driver’s license.
Driver’s license attainment is correlated with voter registration and pre-registration rates for 16-, 17-, and 18-year-olds.
Driver’s license attainment is correlated with voter registration and pre-registration rates for 16-, 17-, and 18-year-olds.
Reposted
County-by-county data shows that license attainment among 16- and 17-year-olds strongly correlates with voter pre-registration rates.
August 4, 2025 at 7:01 PM
County-by-county data shows that license attainment among 16- and 17-year-olds strongly correlates with voter pre-registration rates.
Reposted
And that same pattern continues at age 18.
Counties with more 18-year-old drivers have higher registration rates.
Counties with more 18-year-old drivers have higher registration rates.
August 4, 2025 at 7:01 PM
And that same pattern continues at age 18.
Counties with more 18-year-old drivers have higher registration rates.
Counties with more 18-year-old drivers have higher registration rates.
Reposted
Right now, 1 in 3 Maryland 18-year-olds is not registered to vote.
Expanding automatic registration and voter education can help close this gap.
Expanding automatic registration and voter education can help close this gap.
August 4, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Right now, 1 in 3 Maryland 18-year-olds is not registered to vote.
Expanding automatic registration and voter education can help close this gap.
Expanding automatic registration and voter education can help close this gap.
Reposted
Colorado shows what’s possible.
Small changes to DMV pre-registration can boost rates dramatically. Notifying youth that they aren’t registered boosts rates by 18%, and implementing a default voter registration system boosts them by 29%.
Small changes to DMV pre-registration can boost rates dramatically. Notifying youth that they aren’t registered boosts rates by 18%, and implementing a default voter registration system boosts them by 29%.
August 4, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Colorado shows what’s possible.
Small changes to DMV pre-registration can boost rates dramatically. Notifying youth that they aren’t registered boosts rates by 18%, and implementing a default voter registration system boosts them by 29%.
Small changes to DMV pre-registration can boost rates dramatically. Notifying youth that they aren’t registered boosts rates by 18%, and implementing a default voter registration system boosts them by 29%.
Reposted
Montgomery County offers an additional model:
Voter education and school-based outreach through a student election judge program boosted youth registration rates above what license data would predict.
Voter education and school-based outreach through a student election judge program boosted youth registration rates above what license data would predict.
August 4, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Montgomery County offers an additional model:
Voter education and school-based outreach through a student election judge program boosted youth registration rates above what license data would predict.
Voter education and school-based outreach through a student election judge program boosted youth registration rates above what license data would predict.
Reposted
To close the 18-year-old registration gap in Maryland:
✅ Strengthen automatic registration at the MVA
✅ Expand AVR beyond the MVA to other agencies
✅ Boost school-based outreach like student election judge programs
Learn more at cdce.substack.com/p/maryland-c....
✅ Strengthen automatic registration at the MVA
✅ Expand AVR beyond the MVA to other agencies
✅ Boost school-based outreach like student election judge programs
Learn more at cdce.substack.com/p/maryland-c....
August 4, 2025 at 7:01 PM
To close the 18-year-old registration gap in Maryland:
✅ Strengthen automatic registration at the MVA
✅ Expand AVR beyond the MVA to other agencies
✅ Boost school-based outreach like student election judge programs
Learn more at cdce.substack.com/p/maryland-c....
✅ Strengthen automatic registration at the MVA
✅ Expand AVR beyond the MVA to other agencies
✅ Boost school-based outreach like student election judge programs
Learn more at cdce.substack.com/p/maryland-c....
Reposted
The upshot?
Voters are most supportive of #Vote16 for school board elections– especially among certain constituencies.
This support is sufficient to pass and implement Vote 16 policies in many cities and towns.
Read more at vote16.substack.com/p/674-of-new....
Voters are most supportive of #Vote16 for school board elections– especially among certain constituencies.
This support is sufficient to pass and implement Vote 16 policies in many cities and towns.
Read more at vote16.substack.com/p/674-of-new....
August 1, 2025 at 5:26 PM
The upshot?
Voters are most supportive of #Vote16 for school board elections– especially among certain constituencies.
This support is sufficient to pass and implement Vote 16 policies in many cities and towns.
Read more at vote16.substack.com/p/674-of-new....
Voters are most supportive of #Vote16 for school board elections– especially among certain constituencies.
This support is sufficient to pass and implement Vote 16 policies in many cities and towns.
Read more at vote16.substack.com/p/674-of-new....
Reposted
67.4% of NJ Democrats support lowering the voting age to 16 for school board elections.
A new poll shows growing momentum for #Vote16— but not across the board.
🧵
A new poll shows growing momentum for #Vote16— but not across the board.
🧵
August 1, 2025 at 5:26 PM
67.4% of NJ Democrats support lowering the voting age to 16 for school board elections.
A new poll shows growing momentum for #Vote16— but not across the board.
🧵
A new poll shows growing momentum for #Vote16— but not across the board.
🧵
Reposted
Finally, Dr. Laird shared that she believes that civic engagement is vital for the stability of our democracy.
And she shared that as a fun fact— she enjoys crocheting!
Thank you, Dr. Laird, for your leadership, scholarship, and impact. ⭐
And she shared that as a fun fact— she enjoys crocheting!
Thank you, Dr. Laird, for your leadership, scholarship, and impact. ⭐
July 29, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Finally, Dr. Laird shared that she believes that civic engagement is vital for the stability of our democracy.
And she shared that as a fun fact— she enjoys crocheting!
Thank you, Dr. Laird, for your leadership, scholarship, and impact. ⭐
And she shared that as a fun fact— she enjoys crocheting!
Thank you, Dr. Laird, for your leadership, scholarship, and impact. ⭐
Reposted
The big question driving Dr. Laird’s work is “At what age does someone start to believe in a racial linked fate?”
And her top insight is that “Black girls’ awareness of the political world is exceptional!”
And her top insight is that “Black girls’ awareness of the political world is exceptional!”
July 29, 2025 at 4:10 PM
The big question driving Dr. Laird’s work is “At what age does someone start to believe in a racial linked fate?”
And her top insight is that “Black girls’ awareness of the political world is exceptional!”
And her top insight is that “Black girls’ awareness of the political world is exceptional!”
Love working with @chryllaird.bsky.social !!!
We’re thrilled to uplift @chryllaird.bsky.social for our first CDCE Faculty Fellow Spotlight! Dr. Laird is an Associate Professor of Government and Politics at the @UofMaryland and Faculty Fellow for the CDCE.
July 29, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Love working with @chryllaird.bsky.social !!!
Reposted
The arson is coming from inside the Democratic Party.
Really hope @kenmartin.bsky.social understands how damaging this all is.
Really hope @kenmartin.bsky.social understands how damaging this all is.
The line between online political fundraising and an outright scam feels like it's disappeared. I wrote about the deceptive tactics—the fake "400% matches," the guilt trips targeting the vulnerable, the absurd narratives—and why the Democrats’ embrace of these tactics is harming the party brand.
A Party's Brand Is Built on Trust. So Why Are Democrats Treating Their Supporters Like Marks?
The Fundraising Frenzy Invades Text Messages
open.substack.com
July 28, 2025 at 5:43 PM
The arson is coming from inside the Democratic Party.
Really hope @kenmartin.bsky.social understands how damaging this all is.
Really hope @kenmartin.bsky.social understands how damaging this all is.
The UK lowered the voting age to 16. What’s next for the vote 16 movement in the US?
open.substack.com/pub/vote16/p...
open.substack.com/pub/vote16/p...
The UK has expanded the voting age to 16. What's next for Vote 16 efforts in the United States?
Last week, the UK moved ahead to enfranchise 16-and 17-year-olds. In a new op-ed for USA Today, Vote16USA Executive Director LaJuan Allen lays out his vision for what's next for Vote 16 in the US.
open.substack.com
July 25, 2025 at 6:59 PM
The UK lowered the voting age to 16. What’s next for the vote 16 movement in the US?
open.substack.com/pub/vote16/p...
open.substack.com/pub/vote16/p...
Reposted
The Democratic Party’s age problem isn’t just bad, it’s much worse than Republicans’. Half of registered Democratic voters are under 50, yet half their senators are over 67. Despite claiming to represent the future, party leadership systematically blocks younger voices from gaining power.
May 21, 2025 at 6:51 PM
The Democratic Party’s age problem isn’t just bad, it’s much worse than Republicans’. Half of registered Democratic voters are under 50, yet half their senators are over 67. Despite claiming to represent the future, party leadership systematically blocks younger voices from gaining power.
he has spent last 10 years bringing this focus on fakeable growth metrics to political philanthropy with similar results
I’m now reading Reid Hoffman’s book, “blitzscaling.”
My general impression is that Silicon Valley’s obsession with “get big fast,” prioritizing fakeable growth metrics over actual product quality, is a big part of what has ruined tech.
I suspect I will not like this book.
My general impression is that Silicon Valley’s obsession with “get big fast,” prioritizing fakeable growth metrics over actual product quality, is a big part of what has ruined tech.
I suspect I will not like this book.
May 3, 2025 at 7:50 PM
he has spent last 10 years bringing this focus on fakeable growth metrics to political philanthropy with similar results
I don’t personally support this law but our research shows that several provisions - especially the ability vote provisionally with an affidavit if you don’t have ID - make it far less suppressive than other strict ID laws.
West Virginia Republicans have enacted a stricter voter ID law.
It mandates a photo ID and bans several previously accepted options including a Medicaid card, utility bill, and others
It mandates a photo ID and bans several previously accepted options including a Medicaid card, utility bill, and others
WV Gov. Morrisey signs voter photo ID requirement, DEI ban and more while issuing 6 vetoes • West Virginia Watch
Gov. Patrick Morrisey held a ceremonial bill signing at the state capitol for legislation requiring photo identification for voting.
westvirginiawatch.com
May 2, 2025 at 12:39 PM
I don’t personally support this law but our research shows that several provisions - especially the ability vote provisionally with an affidavit if you don’t have ID - make it far less suppressive than other strict ID laws.
Reposted
Our paper with @marasuttmann.bsky.social and Rachel Orey is finally out in Political Communication, special issue on democratic listening
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
April 30, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Our paper with @marasuttmann.bsky.social and Rachel Orey is finally out in Political Communication, special issue on democratic listening
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Reposted
I am so proud of @marasuttmann.bsky.social and @samnovey.bsky.social for putting together such a thoughtful review.
Election burnout is real but election officials don't have the luxury to step out. Voters are always put first. We should listen to their needs to make their work more manageable.
Election burnout is real but election officials don't have the luxury to step out. Voters are always put first. We should listen to their needs to make their work more manageable.
Our team at the UMD Center for Democracy and Civic Engagement published an important new literature review today by Mara Suttmann-Lea. This literature review dives into the importance of high quality listening in addressing burnout among elections officials.
cdce.substack.com/p/listen-to-...
cdce.substack.com/p/listen-to-...
Listen to elections professionals to decrease burnout
Our literature review shows cultivating a sense of agency at work can support elections professionals, decrease burnout, improve retention and succession, and strengthen election administration.
cdce.substack.com
April 28, 2025 at 7:15 PM
I am so proud of @marasuttmann.bsky.social and @samnovey.bsky.social for putting together such a thoughtful review.
Election burnout is real but election officials don't have the luxury to step out. Voters are always put first. We should listen to their needs to make their work more manageable.
Election burnout is real but election officials don't have the luxury to step out. Voters are always put first. We should listen to their needs to make their work more manageable.
Our team at the UMD Center for Democracy and Civic Engagement published an important new literature review today by Mara Suttmann-Lea. This literature review dives into the importance of high quality listening in addressing burnout among elections officials.
cdce.substack.com/p/listen-to-...
cdce.substack.com/p/listen-to-...
Listen to elections professionals to decrease burnout
Our literature review shows cultivating a sense of agency at work can support elections professionals, decrease burnout, improve retention and succession, and strengthen election administration.
cdce.substack.com
April 28, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Our team at the UMD Center for Democracy and Civic Engagement published an important new literature review today by Mara Suttmann-Lea. This literature review dives into the importance of high quality listening in addressing burnout among elections officials.
cdce.substack.com/p/listen-to-...
cdce.substack.com/p/listen-to-...
