This guide,
Young Voter Mobilization Tactics compiles research on how to get out youth voters. It's only 14 pages and goes so far as to estimate the bang for the buck of different techniques.
For a quick overview of some of the information ...
Overall, the primary recommendation is higher quality person-to-person contact, preferably with peers. They recommend:
* Professional or volunteer phone banks over Robocalls. A 'chatty' phone script and longer time spent interacting has much better results.
* Canvassing (Partisan canvassing costs $10.40 per additional vote (@ $16/hr for labor) and garners 1 extra vote per 13 contacts. Non-partisan canvassing garners 1 vote per 14 contacts, but estimates higher costs ($19) not including overhead.)
* Newer techniques include parties at the polls, mailers that make it easy to request absentee voting materials, and election-day reminder phone calls. All seem very cost-effective.
The YVS Top 5 Turnout Tactics:
■ Keep young voters on your call lists and walk lists
■ Make the call script longer and chattier
■ Use volunteers for calling and canvassing
■ Use technologies that young people use like text and the internet, but only in ways that allow them to opt in to the dialogue
■ Save your money; do not use robocalls or direct mail to TURN OUT this age group
If a young person starts out a Democrat, he or she is likely to stay a Democrat. Let's get 'em while they're young.