Sophia DeLoretto-Chudy Sophia DeLoretto-Chudy

Breaking New Ground: A First-of-Its-Kind Study on Youth Voting

Breaking New Ground: A First-of-Its-Kind Study on Youth Voting

RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Project Title: Evaluating the Impact of Nonpartisan Voter Guides on Youth Voter Turnout in San Antonio, Texas

Overview: The Texas Voter Project (TVP) is conducting a research-driven initiative to assess the effectiveness of nonpartisan, bilingual voter guides in increasing voter turnout among young registered voters (ages 18–35) in San Antonio. This study will provide empirical data on whether direct election education influences participation and can serve as a model for future civic engagement efforts.

Research Objectives:

  • Determine the impact of voter guides on turnout by comparing treatment and control groups.

  • Assess voter guide effectiveness through a survey measuring awareness, usefulness, and motivation to vote.

  • Generate actionable insights for future voter education programs based on turnout data and survey responses.

Methodology:

1. Voter File Access & Randomization

  • TVP will independently access the Bexar county voter file to obtain an accurate list of registered voters aged 18–35 in San Antonio, Texas.

  • TVP will apply proper randomization techniques to divide participants into:

    • Treatment Group (receives the voter guide).

    • Control Group (does not receive the voter guide).

2. Voter Guide Mailing

  • Depending on funding, between 50,000 and 300,000 bilingual (English/Spanish) nonpartisan voter guides will be printed and mailed.

  • Guides will include election deadlines, voting methods, and a QR code linking to an interactive voter tool.

  • Mailing will take place 3 weeks before Election Day (May 3, 2025) to maximize engagement.

3. Turnout Analysis

  • After the election, TVP will use updated voter file data to compare turnout rates between the treatment and control groups.

  • Data from online tools will be analyzed to identify patterns in turnout based on demographics, language, and engagement levels.

Projected Impact Based on Funding Levels:

$50,000 – Foundational Impact

  • 50,000 voter guides mailed + a randomized control group.

  • Basic online survey to measure effectiveness.

  • Limited turnout analysis comparing treatment and control groups.

$125,000 – Measurable Expansion

  • 125,000 voter guides mailed + a randomized control group.

  • Expanded targeted survey with deeper demographic insights.

  • Stronger turnout analysis in collaboration with UTSA & UTA researchers.

$200,000 – Gold Standard Research Study

  • 300,000 voter guides mailed + a professionally randomized control group.

  • Comprehensive turnout analysis measuring impact across demographic and language groups.

  • Fully developed comprehensive digital voter education tool.

  • Robust post-election survey with extensive data collection on voter behavior.

Expected Outcomes & Impact:

  • Foundational Evidence: This study will provide statistically valid data on the effectiveness of voter guides in increasing turnout.

  • Scalability & Replication: Findings can inform similar efforts across Texas and nationwide.

  • Long-Term Civic Engagement: Understanding voter behavior can help shape future strategies for mobilizing young and underrepresented voters.

Call for Support: 

We are seeking full or partial funding to execute this research study. Each $0.63 donation sends one voter guide, directly impacting youth voter participation. By supporting this project, funders will contribute to a data-driven solution for increasing youth civic engagement in Texas and beyond.

For more information, please contact:

Sophia DeLoretto-Chudy

Executive Director
Texas Voter Project
info@texasvoterproject.org

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