If you have been on Facebook lately, you have likely seen the platform’s voter registration initiative. Theirs is not alone, many programs, especially on college campuses, have been urging young voters to register. And it’s working. According to the Institute for Democracy and Higher Education at Tufts University, the number of college voters doubled between the 2014 and 2018 midterm elections in the United States.
This is significant as we approach the 2020 elections where millennials and Gen-Z voters are expected to make up 37% of the electorate. These younger voters are more diverse than their older counterparts, and large voter turnout rates mean this group could have a significant impact on the upcoming national election. This is not only important for choosing the next American president, but also for determining the country’s path on environmental and social policies.
Twice as many college voters mean these young voters are passionate about making their voices heard, and they are showing up at the voting booths to do so. A highly engaged electorate is essential for a strong democracy, so YAY! Get out the Vote!
