Keeping Interest Up Among Young Voters

 Why aren't young people voting? The short answer is we're busy working a menial job most likely, or perhaps 2. The idea that young voters aren't voting has shifted thanks to the turnout in the 2018 midterm elections. Polls saw a 79% jump in voters aged 18-29 years old, the largest increase in any statistical group. Young people are angry, at the status quo, at the inaction of our government to take to address key issues, and at the inability to improve their lives. The amount of voters 18-29 years of age went from 20% in 2014 to 36% in 2018, and that was a midterm election. Midterm elections are typically some of the lowest voter turn outs in the country, but they increased a staggering amount. Why is this? Young people care! We cannot ignore the effects and ramifications of 2016 when thinking about how to get more young people to register for 2020.

Focus on the issues that generate the most buzz on social media and other places young people spend time on. Recently I have seen a really momentum building on Twitter for #MarchForOurLives, An anti-assault weapons and anti-NRA movement. They have gained a lot of movement because they are the students who survived the mass shooting at Majorie Stoneman Douglas High School. I've seen many people in the comments sections of the posts support this movement as they have grown up with a lifetime of active shooter drills. The movement has largely capitalized on this sentiment and has used it to register voters in Florida.

Why do I bring this up? It's because people vote for the things that make them mad more than the things that make them happy. So, what's making kids mad? From the research I've conducted over the course of this class three things stood out. Affordable education, Climate Change, and Gun Control. Using this information we can move forward into the coming terms to create content that address the wants and needs of our target audience. So go forth and inspire!



Misra, J. (2019, July 16). Behind the 2018 U.S. Midterm Election Turnout. Retrieved from https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2019/04/behind-2018-united-states-midterm-election-turnout.html.

McCausland, P. (2018, March 26). Thousands register to vote at March for Our Lives demonstrations. Retrieved from https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/march-our-lives-pushes-expand-voter-rolls-across-country-n859756.