skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Monday, May 5, 2025

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Americans race to meet 'REAL ID' deadline, the UN rejects a controversial Gaza aid plan, and state leaders debate Medicaid, child tax credits, youth apprenticeships, lead pipe disclosures and clean energy funding.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Canada's PM doubles down on country's independence. Trump refuses to say who has due process rights. The DOJ sues several states over climate laws, and Head Start cuts jeopardize early childhood education in MI.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Rural students who face hurdles going to college are getting noticed, Native Alaskans may want to live off the land but obstacles like climate change loom large, and the Cherokee language is being preserved by kids in North Carolina.

Voter Registration Rates Highest in 20 Years

play audio
Play

Wednesday, May 17, 2023   

Voter registration rates in the U.S. hit a record high in last year's midterm elections, according to the latest census data.

Registration rates rose to more than 69% of the citizen voting-age population, up more than 2% from the 2018 midterms.

Liz Tentarelli, president of the League of Women Voters of New Hampshire, said research shows increasing political polarization leads to greater voter interest and turnout.

"If people get very dissatisfied with those who are in power or who are running for office they are much more likely to vote," Tentarelli explained.

Voter turnout in the 2022 midterms was down by more than 1% compared to the 2018 midterms. For those who were registered in 2022 but did not vote, the most common reason was "too busy" due to a "conflicting work or school schedule," which voting rights advocates say is even greater incentive to make Election Day a national holiday.

Voting advocates said getting eligible voters ages 18 to 29 to the polls remains the biggest challenge. In New Hampshire, eligible voters are required to register in-person at their town clerk's office or at the polls on Election Day.

Tentarelli acknowledged younger voters handle most of their business online and would prefer to register to vote online, too.

"So until we make that possible I think we're missing out on young people who care about the issues," Tentarelli noted.

Just 27% of voters ages 18 to 29 voted in last year's midterm, which was still the second-highest youth voter turnout rate in three decades. Tentarelli predicted even greater numbers of voters of all ages and from both parties will take part in the 2024 elections, even though the slate of candidates has yet to be determined.


get more stories like this via email

more stories
More than one in three Ohio parents with children under 5 report serious problems paying rent or mortgage, according to a statewide Groundwork Ohio poll. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

A refundable child tax credit aimed at helping families with young children was proposed in Gov. DeWine's budget but was stripped out by the Ohio …


Social Issues

play sound

Scam text messages impersonating the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and toll authorities are on the rise, despite the fact Wisconsin does not …

play sound

A new report shows Illinois youth now have more apprenticeship and internship opportunities, with an increase in women and minority participation but …


The Florida Solar Rights Act protects homeowners' rights to install solar energy systems. (Pixabay)

Environment

play sound

As Congress prepares to vote this week on a budget bill which would repeal solar energy tax credits, Florida solar advocates warned the move would …

Social Issues

play sound

Solving North Dakota's child-care crisis is taking another turn, with adoption of a new tax credit. The incentive is geared for employers who make …

Nearly 28% of child-care workers are covered by Medicaid, and 43% of early educator families rely on one or more public safety nets such as Medicaid or SNAP to make ends meet. (saksit/Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

Potential Medicaid cuts could have a negative impact on early childhood education professionals in Arkansas. A report from the Georgetown …

Environment

play sound

As Boulder and local governments across the U.S. turn to courts to pay for rebuilding after wildfires, floods and other extreme weather events linked …

Social Issues

play sound

New Mexico's Roadrunner Food Bank is again offering job training after its program was temporarily suspended during the COVID pandemic. Teresa …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021