Young voters could break records in the 2020 elections
The polls could see more Gen Z and Millennials cast their vote this year
Millennials and Gen Z voters— between the ages of 18–39 — have the potential to cause a major impact in the 2020 elections, according to the Pew Research Center.
For the first time in decades, young voter turnouts increased in the last mid-term election in 2018. Today, 10 percent of eligible voters are Gen Z, the youngest generation in the U.S. Gen Zers and Millennials combined make up 37% of eligible voters.
However, young voters have yet to turn out in large numbers at the polls compared to older generations. In 2018, only 3 in 10 young voters cast their votes during the mid-term elections.
Texas reported an 8% voting participation rate from young voters in 2014. The Texas Tribune wrote about Texas’s poor participation in elections and the extreme lack of participation from young adults. Although Texas tripled their numbers in 2018, about 26% of registered voters cast their votes in the mid-term elections.
BBC News reports one of the factors in which interested-young voters resist going to the polls are the long lines they must bare to cast their ballot. While time commitment is an intricate part of voting, some Gen Zers will be voting for the first time in the 2020 election.
First-time voters are concerned about navigating through this experience without prior knowledge of the voting process. The youngest voters between 18–19 are often neglected in electoral outreach.
This generation of young voters also face a challenge in selecting a major political party. The Pew Research Center reports that this generation of post-Millennials is better educated and more diverse.
Young voters understand each party’s ideals, but have a hard time associating with a party that matches their interests.
The CIRCLE says, half of young voters refuse to associate with a party.
Meanwhile, the other have of voters are unsure of their party’s efficacy.
The difference in this election
With the nation’s recent high tensions, youth advocate Debora Hauser, believes the young voters are seeking change.
The CIRCLE’s polling data suggests that young voters “feel motivated to engage in activism and the upcoming election.” Although young adults are facing hardships in the pandemic, they are involved in rallying against injustice.
In 2019, young people gathered to protest for immediate action on climate change. In 2020, climate change is one of the major topics in the presidential debates.
Although young voter representation is low, politicians are considering young voter issues.
Recently, young voters are hoarding the attention to engagement effort organizations. The Texas Rising and MOVE Texas are some of the organizations that are mobilizing young voters to go to the polls.
The Texas Tribune says campaigns had negative thoughts towards investing in young people when young people neglected their civic duty to vote; recent changes have reshaped that thought.
Preparing to vote
With the polls opening on October 13 for early voting, young adults can plan to vote before Super Tuesday to avoid long lines.
After planning what day to vote, voters can check their nearest polling location’s hours, abide by COVID guidelines, and bring all important documents.
Nonetheless, Gen Z and Millennials are capturing the attention of politicians through their large demonstrations. This election could change the way politicians view young voters for the years to come.
