The surge of the political youth
Young people always seem to have their youth held against them. We’re lazy, we’re apathetic, and we can never live up to the exceptional work ethic of our parents and grandparents.
I like to think my generation has faced that stereotype head-on and beat it, especially in politics. I see my peers becoming passionate about political candidates and teaching each other how to register to vote. I see campus organizations coming together to hold important political discussions and educate peers. But don’t just take my word for it — look at the facts throughout history.
Historically, younger voters have voted at the lowest rates. According to the United States Census Bureau, voters aged 18–29 were the least active age group from 1980–2016. When the pool is shrunk even smaller to specifically college-aged voters (18–24), they voted even less, always claiming the lowest spot even in the notably politically active 1960s.
However, in very recent years, young people have stepped up to the plate and made themselves known as a force to be reckoned with. According to the Tufts University Democracy Counts 2018, 40.3% of eligible student voters voted in the 2018 midterm elections. This is a 21% increase from the 2014 midterms, which is the biggest increase of any age group. The voting rates of the general population only increased 13% in the same time.
What caused this? What is pushing students to the polls in recent elections?
A large part of the surge could be credited to universities giving students incentive to vote. Big Ten universities created a voting challenge to see which school could have the most students registered to vote. Colleges across the country are also teaching the importance of civic learning and engagement in curricula. Organizations such as NextGen and Student PIRGs are on college campuses across the country education students on hot political topics and helping them register to vote.
The very design of college and the community it fosters could also be a contributing factor to the increase. Marquette University sophomore Maggie Sullivan said she is inspired to vote by being around other peers who do.
“I don’t talk about voting a lot but when I see people that are involved I think it’s so cool and I want to do it to,” Sullivan said.
Mara McAndrews, another Marquette sophomore, said she is more inclined to vote because of the political science classes she takes.
“I’m a political science major, and being around people my age that are politically active makes me want to vote,” McAndrews said.
Will the surge in young voters become a pattern? Will college-aged voters ever surpass another age group? Time, or maybe 2020, will tell.
