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The new matchup between Trump and Harris is helping Democrats close the enthusiasm gap, in part by capturing the attention and interest of young voters who historically vote at lower rates than older generations. But the historic nature of Harris’ candidacy as the party’s first Black woman and South Asian presidential nominee, coupled with the rapid shift in the campaign’s tone, has young voters of all political stripes taking a hard look — some for the first time — at the role they could play in November.
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If motivated, Gen Z voters could have a major impact on elections. Texas’ population has the second youngest median age of any state, other than Utah. And in 2020, there were about 1.3 million Texans ages 18 to 24 who were registered to vote. Those voters have historically turned out to vote at rates lower than any other age range, with voter participation rates increasing steadily as age ranges increase.
About 43% of young Texans aged 18-29 voted in 2020 — an eleven point increase from 2016. 66% of all eligible voters and 76% of eligible voters age 64 and older voted that same year.
Look at that. Young people excited to vote. It’s almost as though all the party needed to do was run a better candidate.
I am always very cautious about leaning on the “youth vote“ too much because as much as we can rightfully blame the Democrats for putting their thumb on the scale against Bernie, he also thought the youth vote was going to save his ass and they simply did not show up in the numbers people expected, not by a large margin. Especially in 2020.
Also people tend to think Gen Z should save us from our mistakes when only about 75% of them are even age-eligible to vote this election. If was less than half in 2020 IIRC. Millennials and Gen X need to grab the reins and invite Gen Z along.
My GenX ass will be taking my Z’s to the polls with me!
Same here on both counts!
My Gen X butt got a late start so I will have to wait until 2028 to drag my future voter with me. The magats know that the demographics are against them - every day boomers be dying and Zs(Alphas now?) be turning old enough to vote.
Agreed. And us old folks have it easier on election day because we are either a) retired or b) have a good job that doesn’t care if we take a long lunch, come or go early.
One thing I’ve always hated about these articles (and by extension, this whole topic) is all the factors that are left out of the discussion. Like when people talked about Millennials not protesting like they did in the 60s, they conveniently ignore how things have changed for Gen X and younger - how more economically tenuous and unstable living conditions are, how senior jobs are still filled with Baby Boomers that would’ve retired a decade earlier had they been their parent’s generation, how job benefits have declined (like time off), etc. Older people vote more not just because “young people are lazy,” as so many of these discussions insinuate, but because they have better economic security, more time either through retirement or better job benefits, and more knowledge of the process. We won’t see major shifts in Gen X and younger voting turnouts until we can improve work/life balance, because the Boomers pulled the ladder up after them and left the rest of us to slave away for 50 hours a week with no vacation time.
For someone who hasn’t voted before, showing up in a primary with a random date is a lot harder than showing up on a single, nation-wide election day.
Huh interesting I honestly had never even considered that.
Let’s see if they actually do. I’m not holding my breath.
Why would you blame the youth when the southern establishment has repeatedly made it harder for them to vote in the first place?
Also Texas youth voter turnout has only gone up since 2016, and was instrumental of the purpling of Texas during both 2020 and the previous midterm elections. You’re pulling the classic of blaming the younger generation for something that is not their fault.
Eat some avocado toast while educating yourself maybe.
Where have I blamed anyone for anything? You and the other poster are tilting at windmills getting you knickers into a twist over things nobody has said.
I’m just old enough to have heard all of this many times before. But sure, I’m the one that needs educating. 🙄
I’m all for optimism and I truly hope Texas goes blue. But I bet you it won’t.
Here’s the thing though, what you’re “hearing” is a false narrative, and I linked you the numbers to prove it. The voter turnout for younger generations is on par or only slightly lower than other generations, and actually higher in the key battleground states. So why are you so defensive and pessimistic instead of acknowledging what you “heard” about youth turn out might be false and actually a systemic problem, not a generational one?
Texas literally cannot go full blue unless there are several districts that are un-gerrymandered. It’s part of the Republican capture of battleground states. Again, a systemic problem that you imply are an individual’s fault.
Jesus fucking christ, enough already. You’re still trying to put words into my mouth that haven’t been said. Go outside or something.
I can’t, it’s +42C outside 🥲
You’re right. Fuck 'em. The only people who we should ever attempt to appeal to are decrepit conservative fossils. No one else will ever matter and boomers are immortal so we’ll never need anyone else, so earning the resentment of multiple generations is something we can get away with.
🎶 Hello Poe’s Law, my old friend🎶
😂
I never said any of that. Or even suggested it. But you can go ahead and keep being angry about things you’ve made up in your head.