Civic Engagementin the 2022 U.S.
Transgender Survey
AUGUST 2024

2022 U.S. T R AN S GE N D E R S U RV E Y

1

Civic Engagement in the 2022
U.S. Transgender Survey
AUGUST 2024

2022 U.S. T R AN S GE N D E R S U RV E Y

2I N T RO DUC T I O NT

HE 2022 U.S. Transgender Survey (USTS) sought to understand civic engagement
among respondents, including in voting and other civic and political activities. The

2022 USTS also asked respondents about the issues that are most important to them. This
report presents findings about the voting and civic participation activities of 2022 USTS
respondents related to the November 2020 presidential election1 and during other time periods.
The 2022 USTS is the largest survey ever conducted to examine the experiences of binary andnonbinary transgender people in the United States, with an unprecedented 92,329 respondents,
including 84,170 adults (18 and older). The study was conducted by the National Center forTransgender Equality (now Advocates for Trans Equality Education Fund, “A4TE”) in partnershipwith the Black Trans Advocacy Coalition, National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance, andTransLatin@ Coalition. As the successor to the 2015 USTS, the 2022 USTS provides updated
information to help the public better understand the lives of transgender people in the UnitedStates and the challenges that many transgender people face. It is an invaluable resource for
identifying and addressing issues that are of vital importance to binary and nonbinary transgenderpeople in the United States.

Methodology
The USTS was conducted online in English andFor example, “in the last 12 months” in this report

Spanish from October 19 through December

means that the respondent had the experience in5, 2022. It was open to binary and nonbinary

the 12 months prior to taking the survey. Additionaltransgender people aged 16 and older residing

information about survey methodology is available

in the United States, a U.S. territory, or on a U.S.

in the “Early Insights” report of the 2022 USTS2 andmilitary base overseas. The survey covered a wide

will be available in the forthcoming full report of therange of experiences and issues, such as those2022 USTS.

related to health care, employment, education,
housing, and public accommodations.
Findings in this report are presented as weightedWhen interpreting the findings presented inthis report, it is important to note that although
the team sought to recruit a sample that was aspercentages of the entire adult sample or of

representative as possible of transgender people inspecified subgroups. When sample sizes (“n”) are

the U.S. and analytic weights reduce sample biases,included, the values are unweighted. Results are

study respondents were not drawn from a random

only reported for respondents aged 18 and older.

sample. Therefore, while this sample is a large

When referencing a time period in this report, itone, the findings may not be representative of all

relates to when the respondent took the survey.

transgender people.

2022 U.S. T R AN S GE N D E R S U RV E Y

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R E S U LT S

Voter Registration3
USTS respondents were highly engaged in the voting process as compared to the U.S. population. This is
despite unique barriers to participation, such as voter identification laws, limitations on name and genderchange updates on identification documents, and potential negative interactions with election officials or staff.
Eighty-two percent (82%) of U.S. citizens of voting

The trend of higher voter registration among 2022

age in the sample (“voting eligible respondents”)

USTS respondents is consistent with the trend

reported that they were registered to vote in theobserved in the 2015 USTS in which 76% of voting

2020 presidential election, compared to 73% in theeligible respondents reported that they wereU.S. population. USTS respondents also appear

registered to vote in the November 2014 midterm

more likely to be registered to vote compared toelection, compared to 65% in the U.S. population.745the U.S. population across age groups.
Among the top reasons for not being registered
to vote,8 voting eligible respondents whoPercent Registered to Vote in the 2020

were not registered reported that they were

Presidential Election by Age

not interested in the election or not involved(of USTS Voting Eligible Respondents and U.S.

in politics (24%), they did not think their vote

Voting Eligible Population)

would make a difference (19%), they did notmeet registration deadlines (11%), or they

Current Age

did not know where or how to register (10%).

93%82%
73% 76%

Eighteen percent (18%) reported they were not

84%

83%
70%

76%

registered for other reasons.

79%

60%

Of the 18% of voting eligible respondents who
were not registered for other reasons,9 5%
reported that they did not have an identification
document (ID) and thought they needed one toregister. Among the other reasons for not being
registered to vote, respondents also reported
reasons related to being transgender, including

Overall

18 - 24

25 - 4445 - 64% of USTS% of U.S. population (CPS)665+

that their current name did not match theirdriver’s license or Social Security card (3%),
they wanted to avoid being harassed by election
officials because they were transgender (2%),
and they thought their state’s voter identification
law could stop them from voting (1%).

2022 U.S. T R AN S GE N D E R S U RV E Y

4Reasons for Not Being Registered to Vote in the 2020
Presidential Election (of USTS Voting Eligible Respondents andU.S. Voting Eligible Population)% USTS% U.S.
population(CPS)

Not interested in the election or not involved in politics

24%

39%

My vote would not make a difference

19%

5%

Did not meet registration deadlines

11%

11%

Did not know where or how to register

10%

3%

Not eligible to vote because of a criminal/felony conviction

9%

10%

Did not meet residency requirements/did not live here long enough

4%

3%

Concerns about the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic

3%2%Permanent illness or disability

2%

5%

Other reasons (including):

18%

17%



Did not have an ID and thought they needed one to register

5%

N/ACurrent name did not match their driver’s license or SocialSecurity card

3%

N/A



Wanted to avoid being harassed by election officials because theywere transgender

2%

N/A



Thought their state’s voter identification law could stop themfrom voting

1%

N/A

2022 U.S. T R AN S GE N D E R S U RV E Y5Voting

Three-quarters (75%) of voting eligible

Respondents who were registered to voterespondents reported that they had voted in thebut did not vote12 reported that they were not2020 presidential election, compared to 67% ininterested or felt their vote wouldn’t make athe U.S. population. USTS respondents also

difference (24%), they did not like the candidates

appear more likely to have voted compared to theor campaign issues (17%), they forgot to vote orU.S. population when looking across age groups.

send in their absentee ballot (11%), they were10

out of town or away from home (8%), or theyAge of Voters in the 2020

were too busy or had a conflicting work or school

Presidential Election

schedule (8%). Another 8% reported they did not(of USTS Voting Eligible Respondents

vote for other reasons.

and U.S. Voting Eligible Population)

Of the 8% of respondents who were registered
but did not vote for other reasons,13 1% reported

Current Agethat they did not have the ID they needed to vote.
Among the other reasons for being registered to

90%
79%

76%

75%
67% 68%63%

71%

vote but not voting, respondents also reported
74%

reasons related to being transgender, includingthat their ID did not match their current name,gender, or appearance (1%), the gender or51%

name on their ID did not match their voter
registration (1%), or they wanted to avoid beingharassed by election officials because they weretransgender (1%).

Overall

18 - 2425 - 44

45 - 6465+% USTS% U.S. population (CPS)The trend of higher voter engagement among
2022 USTS respondents is consistent with thetrend observed in the 2015 USTS in which 54%of voting eligible respondents reported that they
had voted in the midterm election, compared to
42% in the U.S. population.11

2022 U.S. T R AN S GE N D E R S U RV E Y

6Reasons for Not Voting in the 2020 Presidential Election(of USTS Voting Eligible Respondents and U.S. VotingEligible Population)% USTS% U.S.
population(CPS)

Not interested or felt their vote wouldn’t make a difference

24%

18%

Did not like the candidates or campaign issues

17%

15%

Forgot to vote or send in their absentee ballot

11%

4%

Out of town or away from home

8%

6%

Too busy or had a conflicting work or school schedule

8%

13%

Illness or disability (own or family’s)

6%

13%

Registration problems (for example, didn’t receive absentee ballot, notregistered in current location)

6%

5%

Concerns about the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic

5%

4%Transportation problems

4%2%

Inconvenient hours, polling place, or hours or lines too long2%

3%

Bad weather conditions

<1%

<1%

Other reasons (including):

8%

15%



Did not have the ID they needed to vote

1%

N/A



ID did not match their current name, gender, or appearance

1%

N/A



Gender or name on their ID did not match their voter registration

1%

N/A



Wanted to avoid being harassed by election officials because theywere transgender

1%

N/A



Was not allowed to vote by a poll worker or election official because
they were transgender<1%N/AOf respondents who voted in person,14 2% reported

voter list, having a problem with the gender marker

problems with voting because they were transgender,

on their ID, being harassed by poll workers or otherincluding having poll workers question their identity

voters, or being made to vote on a provisional ballot

or ID, having a problem with their name listed on thebecause of a name or gender issue.

2022 U.S. T R AN S GE N D E R S U RV E Y7Civic Engagement
USTS respondents participated in a range of civic activities during the 2020 presidential election cycle and in
the last 12 months, from volunteering for or donating to campaigns to attending political protests and rallies.
During the 2020 presidential election cycle,

Respondents were asked about their level of civic or

respondents reported that they donated money

political activity in the 12 months prior to completing

to a presidential campaign (13%) or anotherthe survey. More than three-quarters (81%) ofpolitical candidate, issue, or cause (19%). They

respondents were engaged in a civic or politicalalso volunteered or worked for a presidential

activity during that time, such as signing a petition

campaign (3%) or another political candidate,(66%), contacting a government official (28%), orissue, or cause (9%).

attending a political protest or rally (26%).

Percent of USTS Respondents
that Participated in Civic or
Political Activity in the 2020
Presidential Election% USTS

Percent of USTS Respondents
that Participated in Civic or
Political Activity in the 12
Months Prior to Taking
the Survey

Gave money to another politicalcandidate, issue, or cause

19%

Gave money to apresidential campaign
Volunteered or worked for anotherpolitical candidate, issue, or cause

Signed a petition

66%

13%

Commented about politics on amessage board or internet site

60%

9%

Contacted a government official

28%

Attended a political protest or rally

26%

Served on a committee for a civic,
non-profit, or community organization

10%

Written a letter or email to anewspaper/magazine or called alive radio or TV show

7%

Held a publicly elected office (such as
in local, state, or federal government,
not student government).

<1%

Run for a publicly elected office(such as in local, state, or federal
government, not student government).

<1%

At least one civic or politicalactivity in the last 12 months

81%

Volunteered or worked for apresidential campaign

3%

At least one civic or
political activity

25%

2022 U.S. T R AN S GE N D E R S U RV E Y% USTS

8Policy Priorities


Respondents were asked for their opinion on theOpinions on top priorities differed by age onmost important policy priorities for transgenderissues such as employment, access to updated

people in the United States. Among the topidentity documents and records, racial justice,priorities were: violence against transgenderand coverage for trans-related health care.

people (46%), racial justice (38%), coverage

But they were consistent on other issues, suchfor trans-related health care (34%), poverty/

as addressing violence against transgenderincome (28%), housing and homelessness

people, the lack of health care providers with(27%), youth access to trans-related health carecompetency in serving transgender people, and(23%), lack of health providers who know how toyouth access to trans-related health care. For

serve transgender people (13%), discrimination

example, employment was a higher priority forby health providers (11%), changing name andrespondents who were 45 – 64 (20%) and 65

gender on identity documents and records

and older (20%) than those who were 25 – 44(11%), and employment (10%).

(10%) and 18 – 24 (6%). Access to updated
identity documents was also a higher priority for
older respondents, with respondents who were45 – 64 (19%) and 65 and older (19%) including
identity documents access as a priority morethan those who were 25 – 44 (10%) or 18 – 24(8%). Respondents of all ages ranked violenceagainst transgender people as a high priority,including those who were 18 – 24 (49%), 25 – 44(43%), 45 – 64 (47%), and 65 and older (46%).

2022 U.S. T R AN S GE N D E R S U RV E Y

9Overall% ofUSTS
resp.

18 – 2425 – 44

45 – 64

Violence against transgender people

46%

49%

43%

47%

46%

Racial justice

38%

45%

41%

21%

18%

Coverage for trans-related health care

34%

30%

34%

43%

40%

Poverty/income

28%

27%

32%

21%18%

Housing and homelessness

27%

28%

31%

22%

18%

Youth access to trans-related health care

23%

23%

22%

22%

25%

Lack of health providers who know how toserve transgender people

13%

12%

13%

15%

15%

Discrimination by health providers

11%

13%

10%

9%

8%

Changing name and gender on identity
documents and records

11%

8%

10%

19%

19%

Employment

10%

6%

10%

20%

20%

Policy Priorities of USTS
Respondents by Current Age

65 andolder

Conclusion
In a world of close elections, transgender people are a key part of the electorate. USTS respondents
engaged in voting at high levels and participated in civic and political activities in a variety of ways to maketheir voices heard. They expressed concerns about violence against transgender people, access to andcoverage for trans-related health care, income, employment, housing, and access to identity documents that
accurately reflect their identities, each of which persist as issues for those who completed the USTS sincethe 2015 survey.

2022 U.S. T R AN S GE N D E R S U RV E Y

10ENDNOTES
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Survey respondents were asked questions about
voting in relation to the November 3, 2020 presidentialelection, which was the national election held in closest
proximity to the start of the fielding period on October
19, 2022. A hyperlinked explanation stated: “Thiswas the election in November 2020 to elect the U.S.
President (between Joe Biden and Donald Trump),
members of the U.S. Congress, and state-level offices.”
James, S.E., Herman, J.L., Durso, L.E., and HengLehtinen, R. (2024). Early Insights: A Report of the2022 U.S. Transgender Survey. National Center forTransgender Equality, Washington, DC.
Voter registration and voting questions are drawn fromthe U.S. Census Bureau 2020 Current Population
Survey (CPS) November Voting and Registration
Supplement. USTS respondent results are based on
the responses of U.S. citizens in the sample who wereaged 18 or older at the time of the election to provide
the most appropriate comparison to CPS data on
registration and voting in the U.S. population.
“Voting eligible respondents” means those who are adult
U.S. citizens (n = 72,740). We do not consider otherissues of eligibility for voting, such as laws that prohibit
voting for those convicted of felonies or other crimes.
Fabina, J. and Scherer, Z. (2022). Voting andRegistration in the Election of November 2020. U.S.
Census Bureau. Available at: https://www.census.gov/
content/dam/Census/library/publications/2022/demo/p20-585.pdf. See also U.S. Census November votingand registration data tables, available at:https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/
demo/voting-and-registration/p20-585.html.

6.

Fabina and Scherer, Voting and Registration. Seealso U.S. Census November voting and registration
data tables.

7.

James, S. E., Herman, J. L., Rankin, S., Keisling, M.,
Mottet, L., and Anafi, M. (2016). The Report of the 2015
U.S. Transgender Survey (p. 232). Washington, DC:
National Center for Transgender Equality. Respondents
in the 2015 USTS were asked about the 2014 midterm
election because that was the closest national election
to the survey fielding period (August 19 – September21, 2015).

8.

Voting eligible respondents who were not registered tovote (n = 4,535).

9.

Voting eligible respondents who were not registered tovote for “other reasons” (n = 794).

10. Fabina and Scherer, Voting and Registration. See
also U.S. Census November voting and registration
data tables.
11. James, Herman, Rankin, Keisling, Mottet, and Anafi,
Report of the 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey, 234.
12. Respondents who were registered to vote but did not
vote (n = 3,431).
13. Respondents who were registered to vote but did not
vote for “other reasons” (n = 282).
14. Respondents who voted in person represent 55%of the voting eligible respondents who voted in theNovember 2020 election. Of voting eligible respondents(n = 72,740), three-quarters (75%) voted in the election.

C I V I C E N G A G E M E N T I N T H E 2 0 2 2 U. S . T R A N S G E N D E R S U R V E Y
August 2024
© 2024 Advocates for Trans Equality Education Fund (formerly the National Center for Transgender Equality).
We grant permission for the reproduction and distribution of this publication in whole or in part, provided that it isdone with attribution to Advocates for Trans Equality Education Fund. Further written permission is not required.
Recommended Citation: Civic Engagement in the 2022 U.S. Transgender Survey. 2024. Advocates forTrans Equality Education Fund, Washington, DC.

2022 U.S. T R AN S GE N D E R S U RV E Y

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