TRENTON, NJ – Jersey Civic Engage, an initiative within the New Jersey Department of State focused upon growing civic engagement in communities throughout the state, is pleased to share the results of its third annual New Jersey High School Voter Registration Week.

Following the 2020 election, in which New Jersey saw the highest youth voter turnout in the nation, Jersey Civic Engage established New Jersey High School Voter Registration Week as an opportunity to build upon that engagement and lay the groundwork for future youth participation. This year’s effort formally welcomed the New Jersey Department of Education as a partner, helping facilitate broader collaboration with schools throughout the state. Jersey Civic Engage also continued to work with the League of Women Voters of NJ’s very successful and award-winning Energizing Young Voters program to reach eligible young voters.

April 14-20, 2024 kicked off a period of statewide action in high schools and across communities. Building upon the week of engagement, these efforts continued through May 14, 2024, the deadline to register to vote in order to participate in the Primary Election.

This year, the NJ High School Voter Registration Week Program accounted for and influenced 6,409 17 and 18 year old registrations. That’s a 14% increase over last year’s total of 5,606, and a total the last two years of over 12,000 high school student voter registrations that the Program impacted.

About Jersey Civic Engage: Jersey Civic Engage is a multi-faceted, non-partisan initiative of the New Jersey Secretary of State’s Office. Its mission is to foster ongoing civic engagement in communities throughout New Jersey, because a healthy democracy needs active and engaged citizens. When people have a stake in their communities they are more likely to involve others and have a reason to vote.

Its programs are aimed at facilitating and encouraging collaborative civic engagement throughout the state, with a particular focus on our youth. Its goal is to provide information and tools to increase voter and civic participation by everyday New Jerseyans across and among our diverse communities.

In addition to NJ High School Voter Registration Week, Jersey Civic Engage programs and initiatives include the NJ Ballot Bowl (now in its seventh year), Civic Learning Week, Constitution Week, Help America Vote Day, National Voter Education Week, National Voter Registration Day, National High School Voter Registration Week, and National Poll Worker Recruitment Day.

Jersey Civic Engage also provides community presentations for our youth as well as guidance and training for organizations interested in promoting civic and voter engagement.

For more information about Jersey Civic Engage, visit JerseyCivicEngage.NJ.Gov, follow Jersey Civic Engage on Facebook, X and Instagram at @NJCivicEngage, or send an email to NJDOS@sos.nj.gov.