7 Ways to Motivate Your Kids and Grandkids to Vote

Identify which issues spark the most conversation. Then see how you can connect them to decisions that happen at a governmental level. The goal is to approach every conversation with curiosity and create a safe space for people to share their thoughts, whether or not those match your own ideology. This isn’t the time to push your personal agenda or political beliefs.

“Curiosity will prevent them from just shutting down in the face of a really polarized or political question,” Booth says.

Consider a similar approach when speaking with those who say they don’t plan to vote. You’re likely to get further when you resist reprimanding and instead ask why they decided to opt out, Booth says.

3. Walk through voter registration together

Among the biggest barriers to voting is lack of education. More than 1 in 5 newly eligible voters who hadn’t registered in 2020 said it was because they didn’t know how, according to a survey by CIRCLE. One of the most fundamental actions you can take is to sit down with your adult child or grandchild and walk them through the process directly, Booth says.

“I think about when I got my driver's license, for instance, and my mom helped me fill out the paperwork,” she says. “That kind of administrative support happens often in families.”

Aim to start voter registration conversations well ahead of Election Day. For an 18-year-old — possibly juggling college or a job for the first time — planning can be crucial. Many states don’t offer same-day registration, a detail that’s easy to miss as a first-time voter.

“When you hire someone, you don’t expect them to know everything on the first day,” Booth says. “You onboard them, and we need to do the same thing for young voters to give them the support they actually need to turn out.”

4. Create a voting plan

Once registration is complete, work together to map out a concrete voting plan, says Jeanette Senecal, senior director for mission impact at the League of Women Voters.

“When people have really thought about how they're going to execute their right to vote, they normally do it,” she says.

Walk your adult child or grandchild through all of the available voting options. Does their state offer early or absentee voting? It might work better with their schedule; many young adults say they feel too busy to vote. Even just recording the correct polling hours and location into a digital calendar can save time and reduce stress when Election Day arrives.

5. Draw attention to the impact of local races

Your planning process may include directing a potential younger voter to a few educational resources, like VoteSmart, Ballotpedia or Vote411, so they can learn about the issues. People often feel more empowered to vote when they understand key election topics.

When discussing political races, try not to overlook those on the local level. Local races generally receive less media attention, so getting educated can require a cumbersome search through county, city and district websites. Yet decisions made by local officials often affect day-to-day life, and this can help younger voters see the direct connection between their vote and what’s happening around them.

“A big topic for young people is education and the student loan crisis,” notes Sarah Swanbeck, executive director of the Berkeley Institute for Young Americans. Issues like those may resonate.

You might even consider attending a city council meeting or other local event together where young adults can meet elected officials or current candidates.

“Once you meet people, you see that these are real people who are just members of your community,” Senecal says. “The job of an elected official becomes demystified, and [voting] becomes more personal.”

6. Cultivate a family culture where everyone has a voice

There’s no need to wait — introducing the concept of voting early on can foster a sense of civic responsibility and start building the habit.

“I still remember going to the polls with my family when I was younger, and that [experience] making it clear that this is a normal part of being a citizen in this country,” Swanbeck says.

While all states allow children to accompany their parents at the polls, some have age limits and restrictions on how many children voters may bring. Ask a poll worker or call your local election office to confirm the rules in your state.

Booth also suggests setting up scenarios where your kids can “vote” at home. This could be as simple as voting between pancakes or eggs for breakfast or on two different films for movie night. 

“Having opportunities to participate in decision-making, to feel like you have a voice, can have powerful impacts down the line,” Booth says.

7. Try not to get discouraged

The reality is, family is complex. You may face reluctance when trying to discuss voting with your adult children or grandchildren, especially as they grow older. In those moments, it’s important to remind yourself that although difficult conversations can feel uncomfortable, they often create invaluable learning opportunities.

“Sometimes young people just don’t feel like they’re seeing the change that they were promised by voting,” Booth says. “Older generations have experiences that younger ones don’t, and sharing those perspectives and the things that have made them a lifelong voter and believe in the system can be powerful.”