The topic of discussion for this Constitution Monday concerns voter turnout. Typically, fewer voters turn out in primary elections. Jaxon Tueller is a graduate student at Utah Valley University in the Master of Arts in Constitutional Government, Civics, and Law program. He discusses voter turnout in Utah during primary elections.
In
Utah’s previous midterm election in 2022, only 46.8% of eligible voters cast a
ballot. Less than half of all Utahns accepted their civic responsibility to go
out and vote. Utah was roughly the middle of all 50 states when it came to
voter turnout.
Do
Americans think midterms don’t matter? History has shown how important voting
in midterm elections can be….
Are
Americans’ decisions not to vote tied to a lack of civic awareness and
education? Civics is the study of how government works and the rights, duties
and responsibilities of citizens in society. One component of civics in the
United States includes moral expectations and legal guidelines that dictate our
behaviors. Civics education is particularly important as we approach voting age
and begin actively participating in governmental functions.
Could more sufficient civics education help increase
voter turnout?
In
Utah, most students take a course that includes instruction on government and
citizenship. Students are also required to pass a basic civics test. But is that
enough?
Low
voter turnout is one suggestion that this basic civics education is insufficient.
If citizens truly understood how important civic responsibilities were, wouldn’t
they turn out in elections throughout the state? Is something missing in civics
curriculum for students in Utah? In the United States?
Fortunately,
in the 2025 legislative session, Utah’s House of Representatives passed HB381
(Civics Education Amendments), which updates the high school graduation
requirements starting with the 2027-2028 school year. The social studies
requirements will change from 3.0 to 3.5 credits, with a 1.0 credit requirement
dedicated to a government class.
Being governed by the will of the people is a
fundamental principle of our democracy; using our right to vote means outcomes
reflect the people.
This
new class – “American Constitutional Government and Citizenship” – is a step in
the right direction for improving civics education. With an extra semester,
teachers will now have time to teach both constitutional government and
citizenship. Students will learn more about state and local politics and
citizens’ opportunities – to vote, serve on juries, participate in caucuses and
be civically engaged.
Other
states have already passed similar legislation. Starting in the 2026-2027
school year, public high school students in Idaho will be required to take one
full year of American government alongside other requirements. Still, fewer
than 10 states across the country require at least one year of civics education
and the passing of a standard civics test….
Voter turnout matters in every election.
If
this new curriculum works as intended, it may help increase voter turnout in
all of Utah’s elections, especially the oft-neglected midterm elections. We
hope that as the new graduation requirements roll out, recent trends in midterm
election turnout improve.
So
far this year, the trend is not positive. In the 2026 Utah primary elections,
voter turnout varied from county to county, but 20 out of 29 counties had a
turnout rate of less than 50%.... Will turnout be any better in midterms? It
depends on what we choose to do in the next few days!
[Americans]
must take their civic responsibilities seriously. Being governed by the will of
the people is a fundamental principle of our democracy; using our right to vote
means outcomes reflect the people. We must act; we must participate. Utah’s new
“American Constitutional Government and Citizenship” class is a good start to
improving and re-energizing our current civics education. As we continue
improving our civic education, we also need to encourage our friends, family,
and other Americans to get involved civically, especially voting. As the 2026
midterm elections approach, let’s get out, vote, and fulfill our civic responsibilities.
