Dems have an edge with young voters, but will they show up?

[workinclasszero]

By Steve Benen 10/04/18 09:20 AM

The New York Times had an interesting report today exploring why so many Americans won’t bother to vote in the midterm elections, despite the stakes, and despite the intensity of ongoing political tensions. Turnout is often depressed during midterm cycles – presidential races tend to capture the public’s attention – and 2018 may well fall into the usual pattern.

There’s a fair amount of evidence, however, that some voters are more likely to show up than others.



In case anyone’s forgotten, the last successful election cycle for Democrats was six years ago, and in 2012, it was young voters who helped make the difference. A report from the Pew Research Center found that Barack Obama struggled among older voters in battleground states such as Florida, Ohio, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, but the Democratic president won each of these states – with relative ease – thanks to the overwhelming support of voters 30 and younger.

http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/dems-have-edge-young-voters-will-they-show?cid=sm_fb_maddow

[Kilgore]

1. I will go with history

Probably not

[PatrickforO]

2. This pisses me off, but I understand.

These kids have been screwed every which way but loose. Can't afford rent, priced out of home market, huge student debt, most work in jobs that are utterly devoid of meaning - what do they have to be grateful for? What do they have to be hopeful for?

Most of these kids will save up and go somewhere nice for a week. That's the new pattern. They don't figure they'll ever OWN anything nice, but they go and experience niceness on a cruise or in a nice vacation spot.

Problem is, the right wing propagandists WANT this. That's why what happened with Bernie in 2016 was so heartbreaking - yeah he lost, I know, and I'm not refighting it, but his message turned these young people on. They are socialists. They want health care. They want free or debt-free college.

So, yeah, if they don't vote, we can say they will have the government they deserve. Unfortunately we will also have the government they deserve.

Sigh.

I hope Warren runs. I think the young people would go for her, as well. The person we run MUST be perceived as a populist, and MUST address student debt and health care.

[LBM20]

6. ZERO EXCUSES!! So sick and FUCKING tired of them whining & moaning and sitting on their lazy asses!

Not all, but too many have tons of time to play video games and sit on electronic devices all day, and bitch like hell about their futures and their college costs, but they don't have time to go vote. It is SHIT and entirely fucking INEXCUSABLE!!

Either vote or you deserve what the fuck you get!!

[PatrickforO]

9. Well...yeah, that's my point. If they don't vote, then WE get the government

they deserve for not voting.

And, as someone who has voted in every single election since I could, I DON'T deserve this government. I deserve a better one.

That's what I mean.

Last, I'll say we all need to have some compassion. There are some who don't deserve it because they are jerks, but most do. Everyone has a story, and it is easy to get all bent out of shape.

But don't.

We can't just throw away a generation, because they are our children and grandchildren.

[Turin_C3PO]

13. Plus previous generations were the same way as far as voting when young.

I’m not sure how to turn this long time fact around. I just hope for a 10% increase in youth turnout.

[Turin_C3PO]

12. The young never vote in great numbers.

It’s nothing new and has nothing to do with video games and electronic devices. If we can get 30-35% turnout of the 18-29 group, it will be a success.

[JHan]

14. Patrick, We're not all "socialists"

I am young myself. I am not a socialist but I do believe we need to expand the social safety net.

I don't want to refight the primaries either, but the idea that all of us think the same is not correct. Many white millennials went for Trump. In the Democratic Primaries, younger millennials went for Bernie but older millennials went Clinton. I supported Clinton by January of 2016.

I want Universal Healthcare, and I want affordable College Tuition, but I would prefer universal pre-k. I see how this affects communities ( particular with PoC) . Fact is young people typically don't get out and vote ( I don't have the stats on hand to compare previous era's) Good news is , many of us are energized and pissed off. We'll see what happens come November.

[AlexSFCA]

3. unlikely

most dont follow news

[Garrett78]

4. If 30% of those under 30 vote, it would be considered a big success. It's pretty sad.

[Loki Liesmith]

5. Article is foolishness

1) Compares a presidential election turnout to a mid term.

2) fails to examine turnout in 2006 out last good mid term.

[hack89]

7. Ask Bernie. Nt

[manor321]

8. Ha! No. They will not show up.

[Turin_C3PO]

10. Historically

Probably they won’t in great numbers. However that doesn’t mean their turnout won’t be up a bit. I think 30% youth turnout is a good goal.

[Maeve]

11. My kids are in those bottom two age groups

And one posted a GOTV message on her FB page today. A lot of young people are angry right now. The only poll that matters is the one on Nov 6.