Young voters: change begins with you

With the 2022 Midterm Elections quickly approaching, all eyes remain on the younger voters of our nation.

Peer-to-Peer Networking

Having been working with and advocating for voters since 2019, Rachel Madigan wants to see young people make a difference not only in their communities, but in America as well.

The 2021 political science graduate from the University of Akron serves as an administrative secretary at the Summit County Clerk of Courts and also volunteers her time with the Summit County Young Democrats, a political organization that makes connections with elected officials and helps individuals 40 and younger gain their partisan voice.

“Voting and being active in political events, such as elections, is important because it’s our future. We’re going to be around to witness most of the effects it has on our country, from issues like climate change, rising costs and more,” said Madigan.

It is proven that younger people do not show up to the polls in the same amounts as older people do.

Starting her expression with a laugh and brief sigh, Madigan said breaking the stigma against young people not wanting to participate in elections is “pretty hard”. This is why Madigan, and her fellow team of the Young Dems go door-to-door in many different neighborhoods and canvas political events to try and make an impact and persuade younger generations.

“Education is huge, because a lot of times people don’t know what they’re voting on, but care about the issues. I tell my friends, who have the same mindset and are against voting, that ‘what if your vote really did matter?’ It literally takes 10 minutes,” said Madigan.

Just as more younger people turned out in 2020, this year is projected to drive people to the polls voting for major issues like climate change, abortion rights and health insurance benefits.

The midterms are seen to be very important. It ensures that the government will remain unified.

Voices for the Younger Voters

Abby Kiesa, the Deputy Director of CIRCLE (Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning & Engagement) has worked with the younger generations since 2005.

Many young people do not have an older influence teaching them about elections and all that they entail.

“In 2018, young voters passed millions of votes and turnout rates were historic. Young people have changed the math. What this country saw was a huge spike from all walks of life and changed the outlook,” said Kiesa.

Since the lowering of the voting age by President Nixon in 1971, the past elections, specifically 2018, young people cast votes higher than any generation that came before them.

After the 2018 midterms and 2020 presidential election, there was a shift in cultural participation.

With this year’s midterms elections quickly approaching, 2022 alone is seeing an increase in youth voter registration – higher than 2018, in some states like Michigan, Kansas, Nevada, Arizona and Georgia.

Another pioneer for improving the quality of young voter experience and opportunity is Carolyn DeWitt, the president and executive director at Rock the Vote.

Rock The Vote has built up the political power of younger people for the past three decades since its establishment in 1990.

Young voters: millennials and older (voting age) Gen Z individuals make up 40% of the overall electorate vote. DeWitt says this gives an enormous power to influence the direction of our country.

“According to behavioral research, young voters do not turn out at the same rate as old voters, because they are new voters. This is not a generational problem,” said DeWitt.

However, worldwide issues like the Covid-19 pandemic and the Black Lives Matter resurgence led younger people to be more vocal and passionate for elections, as seen in 2020.

Older people in power make it harder for younger individuals wanting to vote and limit their access to create change. Some of the voter suppression efforts include voter ID requirement and mail-in restrictions, limits to campus polling places and more.

Takeaways from both Kiesa and Dewitt for younger voters are as such:

– Always be aware of the importance of midterms

– Learn how and when to vote properly

– Remember that Election Day does not mean “result day”. It takes time.

DeWitt says, “If your vote wasn’t powerful, they would not be trying to take it away. Elections are won by those who show up. The only way that we are going to improve and progress the stigma is to actually show up and make our voices heard.”