Election Day is less than one week away, and campaigns and candidates from both political parties are feeling the urgency. Both parties are maximizing the use of their money, volunteers and staffers to ensure no stone is left unturned before Tuesday. Campaigns are sending fundraising emails, calling and texting voters, and knocking on doors. There is no such thing as an effort too small between now and Election Day.
For Democrats, in particular, they will be directing their efforts to turning out, arguably, their most important demographic for this election cycle: young voters. After all, with more than 8 million new eligible young voters in this election
More Top Picks Best Cat Trees
, this is a demographic pivotal for Democrats’ success. With an increased presence in the electorate, the reality is that young voters will help decide whether Democrats maintain control of Congress.Like with every election, there is always significant skepticism around whether young voters will vote. On the surface, the skepticism is valid: Historically, turnout by young people has significantly trailed that of older demographics. But that reality shifted starting in 2018 and continued through 2020, with young people voting in historic numbers. In fact, increased turnout of young voters helped Democrats regain control of the House in 2018 and the Senate in 2020 and elect Joe Biden to the presidency in 2020.
This time around, the media and pundits are skeptical that young voters will turn out again with such force, as illustrated by the Politico article “Young voters MIA as Dem base flocks to vote early.” However, early voting data shows that young Democrats are not sitting this one out. This time is truly different.
Based on the available data of early votes cast and counted, there is evidence that it’s not young Republicans who are turning out to vote but rather young Democrats. Democratic political data firm Target Smart found that among Republicans ages 18 to 29, turnout in battleground states for the U.S. Senate has dropped more than 8 percentage points this year compared with 2018. For Democrats ages 18 to 29, turnout has increased by more than 5 percentage points this year compared with 2018.
While as of now, overall, young adult turnout rates may not be as high as those of 2018, Democrats : should take comfort in the fact that young Democrats are voting at higher percentages now compared with 2018. In Pennsylvania this year, for example, more first-time Democratic voters have voted early than at this time in 2018, according to TargetSmart CEO Tom Bonier.
That many young people are voting for Democrats is unsurprising. For months, Democrats and Republicans have shown young voters who they truly are. As Democrats pass legislation and take other actions to address issues such as climate change, student loan debt and marijuana possession, Republicans seek to pass legislation to ban abortion, make it easier to buy guns and roll back fundamental civil rights. Young voters are not oblivious to the differences between the parties. We understand that Republicans do not serve our interests.
For Democrats, however, they must continue fighting to earn the vote of every young person possible. With just days left until Election Day, Democrats must make it clear to young voters that their votes for Democrats lead to tangible successes. Democrats should avoid simply telling young voters to “vote again” and instead tout their accomplishments. That way, young voters not only know their votes were worth it in 2018 and 2020, but also that their votes will count again this election.
Beyond the conversation Democrats should have with young people now, it is imperative that we make voting enjoyable for young people. Whether it’s going to the ballot box with a group of friends or getting together to fill out mail-in ballots, there are fun ways to encourage young voters to participate in the process. The more joy young people can feel about the civic process, the more willing they will be to engage.
It is not hyperbole to say this election may well decide the fate of democracy. In races across the nation, many candidates openly deny the results of the 2020 election and say that they will make it harder for people to access basic civil rights.
But if one thing is clear, it is the power of young people. We are already showing up — and we will continue to, up to and including on Election Day.
Democrats should not give up. Because we the younger generation certainly are not.
Victor Shi, a junior at the University of California at Los Angeles, co-hosts the “iGen Politics” podcast. He is also a strategy director of Voters of Tomorrow, a Gen Z-led movement.
Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email [email protected].
More Top Picks Best Manual Transfer Switches For Generators