After many previous dashed hopes, who thinks the youth vote is coming through for us this time?
I do!
That's got to be a big chunk of the record voter turnout we're seeing, and we know young people are leaning Democratic 2 to 1.
My big hope is that the polls we've been seeing model typical young voter turnout, and we're going to get a very pleasant surprise when the real votes come in.
One of the reasons I think young voters are going to turn out this election is because, while they are too often tuned out from politics and find it hard to get interested and involved, Trump has changed that BECAUSE YOU CAN'T ESCAPE TRUMP. Trump makes sure that Trump is always on everybody's mind, whether they want Trump intruding on their brain or not.
Between being sick of Trump's ever-present influence, and how inescapable COVID is in their daily lives, I think young people are more tuned in and motivated than we've seen in a long time.
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| Yes | |
16 (94%) |
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| No | |
1 (6%) |
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| Not sure | |
0 (0%) |
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The Millenials, their older siblings, were the "youth vote" of that time and they are, as a group sterotypically self absorbed and really not civic minded.
The Gen Zers NOW are *just* coming of age and seeing how the last 4 years fucked us all. They are also, stereotypically WAY more involved and concerned about climate change, college funding, job market, etc. So yes, I really do think they are part of the reason voter turnout has gone up so much...many of them even PRE-registered at 17!
Now I am also speaking anecdotally -
My eldest son is a Millenial and I am still "mom" to several of his HS friends...they are literally all about working, partying, starting a family. But they are also still very self absorbed in it all and think current affairs are a bore or a joke. I think they grew up complacent during the Obama years cuz we all had it so good. They really are just cruising through as if everything if FINE...
My younger kids are now 18 and 17, the Gen Zers.
Both are much more aware of current events and have opinions about the world they are currently coming into adulthood in. They are freaking out on many levels because they have had the last year of HS ripped away, and college is also basically "virtual" so they are feeling the impact of poor leadership on a literal level. They are also looking at their future and seeing a grim outlook due to climate change...they KNOW if action doesn't happen fast we're all fucked.
also, many of them AND their friends are choosing to NOT have children at ALL because of the state of things. 
...just my observations in my small sample of youth around me.
I think there will be more youth voters this time, but relatively fewer than other age-groups as usual.
It’s a thing I learned when I lived with bookie for a little bit back in the 80s. “Never bet on college kids.” 
