Voter Registration Gap: A look at Harris County, Texas
While a naive review of the voter file might suggest that its reported voter registration in a given area is complete and up-to-date, this is rarely the case. The pool of eligible voters and those who are registered is continually changing and flowing like a fluid. Let's take a closer look at an example area such as Harris County, Texas, to illustrate this dynamic situation and emphasize why it is crucial to address the voter registration gap.
Harris County Voter Registration Snapshot
In November 2022, Harris County had 2,568,463 registered voters out of an estimated 2,811,285 eligible adult residents, resulting in a simple calculation of 91.4% voter registration. However, this figure lacks the nuance necessary to understand the true state of voter eligibility and registration.
Our analysis of Harris County reveals several critical factors:
Known Unregistered Eligible Individuals: Approximately 365,187 eligible individuals who are known residents remain unregistered, representing nearly 13% of the eligible population. This group includes those who may not be aware of their eligibility or who face barriers to registration. There are certainly more than this who are not known to us.
Voters with Outdated Addresses: There are 168,093 registered voters who are known to have moved but not updated their address, accounting for about 6.5% of the voter file. These outdated records must be updated in order for these voters to cast their ballots. Only ~60% of households file a change of address with the USPS when they move, implying that another 112K registered voters moved who did not file a change of address, or another 4% of the voterfile.
Newly Eligible Voters: Around 216,698 citizens have turned 18 in the past few years, and less than one-third (approximately 72,233) have registered. This means that nearly 144,465 young adult residents are not yet part of the voter registration rolls.
Deceased Individuals: 147,284 people on the voter file have died but have not yet been removed. This accounts for around 5.7% of the total registered voters, reflecting the slow process of updating voter records which is done to be careful and precise so as not to accidentally disenfranchise someone with the same name.
Changes in Eligibility: Approximately 63,000 people have gone to prison or come off probation since the last election, impacting their eligibility to vote. This group represents around 2.5% of the voter file.
New Citizens: More than 70,000 people became new citizens in Harris County in the last two election cycles. Many of these new citizens have registered, but a significant number remain unregistered, highlighting the need for targeted outreach to this group.
These factors highlight the constantly shifting numbers of eligible voters. It typically takes years for the voter file to catch up with changes such as deaths, moves, or changes in legal status. For this reason, additional data identifying those “missing” eligible, but unregistered voters from the voter file is necessary to make an impact.
The Challenge in Houston and Beyond
In many districts, including Harris County, we need to expand the electorate with a focus on the New American Majority in order to solidify the progressive leadership of the county. Nationally, this strategy is crucial for reclaiming the U.S. House and maintaining control of the U.S. Senate and Presidency. Locally, it is imperative to win back state legislatures and elect mayors and local officials who reflect the values of their communities. By creating new, lifelong habitual voters through voter registration, we can establish a long-term framework for progressive turnout.
The Importance of Voter Registration for Harris County
Engaging unregistered voters is not just a numbers game—it’s about empowering individuals and ensuring that the democratic process represents the true will of the people. Voter registration is fundamental to our democracy. When eligible voters are not registered, their voices are excluded from critical decisions that shape our community’s future.
Why It Matters:
Representation and Equity: Every unregistered voter represents a lost voice in the democratic process. Ensuring that all eligible voters are registered means that our elected officials truly represent the diverse and dynamic population of Harris County.
Community Engagement: Voting is a powerful way for individuals to engage with their community and influence issues that matter to them. By registering more voters, we foster a more engaged and informed electorate that can advocate for policies that benefit everyone.
Progressive Values: Harris County has a rich history of innovative leadership, but maintaining this trajectory requires active participation from all eligible voters. Registering new voters, especially from underrepresented communities, strengthens our commitment to justice, equality, and progress.
Youth Involvement: Engaging young voters is crucial for the future of our democracy. As the next generation of leaders, young people need to be involved in the political process from an early age to ensure that their perspectives and needs are addressed.
Impact on Policy: Voter registration drives can significantly impact local, state, and national policies. More registered voters mean more voices demanding change and holding elected officials accountable.
Civitech's Strategic Approach
Civitech's strategy focuses on connecting with previously unreachable individuals—citizens who are not registered to vote and are often excluded from traditional political outreach lists and directories, including the voter file. These individuals are usually left out of nearly all communications, making Civitech's efforts vital in expanding the electorate and raising marginalized voices.
Identifying Untapped Voter Records
We have developed and meticulously maintained a proprietary database that allows us to identify tens of millions of potential voters who have been overlooked in previous outreach efforts.
Expanding the Electorate
By focusing on unregistered voters in need, we are able to mitigate the registration barriers that many face. This approach not only helps to balance the scales but also ensures that more citizens can exercise their right to vote.
Raising Marginalized Voices
Ensuring underrepresented groups have a voice in the electoral process is a priority. By reaching out to these communities, we help ensure that their needs and perspectives are represented in the political landscape.
Enhancing GOTV Efficiency
Our targeted approach makes Get Out The Vote (GOTV) efforts more effective and cost-efficient. By focusing resources on those in need but also likely to be responsive, the overall impact of GOTV campaigns is maximized, leading to higher voter turnout and engagement.
By focusing on these areas, we can work towards a more inclusive and accurate voter registration system in Harris County and beyond. This approach will not only enhance the democratic process but also ensure that every eligible citizen has the opportunity to participate in elections.
Voter Registration by Mail
Voter registration by mail is one of the easiest and most cost-effective methods to register new voters. While expanding the electorate might seem daunting, mail-based voter registration is more efficient and affordable than traditional methods.
Combining in-person canvassing with targeted mail programs can significantly extend your reach. By focusing on voters you are interested in, you can target your efforts more effectively and save money while achieving extensive outreach. Data-driven mail campaigns allow for precise targeting, identifying potential voters in specific precincts, districts, cities, counties, or states, and predicting partisanship or issue alignment with your party, candidate, or overall values.
Steps to a Successful Mail-Based Voter Registration Campaign
Create Targeted Universes: Identify the potential voter base in Harris County and determine the size of the target universe. Focus on engaging individuals such as movers, those aging into the electorate, and the unregistered voting-age population.
Craft Compelling Mailers: Design impactful mailers incorporating best practices like social pressure elements, urgency, and the simplicity of the registration process.
Print and Mail: Package the data with trackable barcodes, inserts, forms, and send them to a print house for mailing.
Track and Engage: Use a comprehensive mail dashboard to track every piece of mail and follow up with recipients through multiple channels.
Evaluate and Learn: Assess and reflect on the results of your campaign to continuously improve. Checking voter registration lists after the election helps determine success, although it may take months for updates.
Why This Matters for Harris County
Houston, as the largest city in Texas and one of the most diverse cities in the United States, plays a crucial role in statewide and national elections. Harris county itself is often cited as one of the most diverse counties in America. With a rapidly changing demographic landscape, engaging and registering every eligible voter is essential to ensure their voices are heard. Voter registration efforts in Harris County can significantly influence the political landscape, making implementing effective strategies that resonate with the community imperative.
By focusing on these strategies, we can work towards a more inclusive and accurate voter registration system in Harris County. This approach will enhance the democratic process and ensure that every eligible citizen has the opportunity to participate in elections, reflecting the true will of the people. By doing so, we can uphold the values of equality, representation, and justice that define Harris County and contribute to a brighter, more progressive future for all.
