Today, Bella Podmore sits down with Dr. Brandon Rottinghaus, a professor of political science at the University of Houston, for a deep dive into education and its role in civic engagement. As a nationally recognized expert on political behavior and public opinion, Dr. Rottinghaus is widely known for his work on executive politics, political communication, and civic participation.
As youth voter turnout continues to be a concern in American democracy, understanding the forces that encourage or inhibit early civic involvement is more important than ever. In Texas, all schools are required by law to offer voter registration to any high schoolers who meet the requirements to vote; unfortunately, this is often neglected. Dr. Rottinghaus looks into the influence of school principals in shaping how young people engage with the electoral process, and how we can ensure everyone is offered their right to register. From administrative support for civic education to the implementation of voter registration initiatives in schools, principals play a pivotal role in helping students transition from learning about democracy to participating in it. Getting registered early ensures students can turn voting into a lifelong habit while removing what is often one of the most intimidating hurdles in civic engagement.
The Data
According to Education Service Center Region 20 (ESC-20), there are more than 70 high schools in San Antonio. Despite the scale, voter registration efforts vary significantly from campus to campus. Fall 2024 data from Dr. Rottinghaus’ survey highlights that while some districts have robust systems in place, others leave the responsibility up to individual staff members or outside organizations. One such organization is the Engage and Vote Registration Initiative (EVRI), which in Fall 2024 served high schools across the city in voter registration outreach. By Spring 2025, EVRI had reached 18 high schools (representing 9 districts) and helped register close to 1,400 students to vote. Still, as shown in Bexar County Elections Department records, not all eligible students are making it onto the voter rolls: in November 2024, only a fraction of 18-year-olds in the county were registered to vote. These gaps in civic participation point to deeper systemic inconsistencies in how schools implement the state’s voter registration requirement.
More information
For more on this topic, check out Scott Huddleston’s September 2024 article in the San Antonio Express-News, which covers the state of youth voter registration in Bexar County and highlights both the challenges and successes seen across area high schools.
