This fall will tell us how much young people care about women's rights, mass shootings, and climate

[Kaleva]

We may see record turnout.

Or maybe not.

I'm not going to try and predict which way this will go but I'm hoping these issues will result for a record turnout of progressive and moderate young voters so Dems can solidify control of Congress and we can make gains at the state level.

[calguy]

1. If the past is any gauge of the future...

I'm not holding my breath for a record turn out from young people who's future will be affected by the outcome much more than my future.

[SoonerPride]

2. Young people will not save us

They never vote in large enough numbers.

I see no reason to expect that to change.

[WarGamer]

3. Kitchen table issues likely to be top concern.

[Walleye]

4. Gas price, inflation. They won't care about anything else

[usonian]

5. SPEAK TO YOUTH! MY GOODNESS, WHAT A GREAT IDEA

AFAIK,
They DON'T LISTEN to AM Hate Radio
They DON'T WATCH Fox Hate Television
They DON'T FOLLOW hate groups on social media.
They're trying to live their own lives.

And they're being gunned down by RWNutjobs.

HEY OLD FARTS OF 30 or so years (or lots more)
THIS IS THE FUTURE. It's THEIRS
GIVE THEM ONE by urging them to vote.


Apologies for the CAPS. I am FIRED UP by this idea.
and I'm a dad who wants a future for my daughter and others!

and otherwise, GOTV no matter who.
https://democraticunderground.com/100216380145

[DavidDvorkin]

6. They may care but think that their vote will have no effect

I think that's why they tend not to vote.

[Salviati]

10. A self fulfilling prophecy if I've ever heard one.

[DavidDvorkin]

20. True, but that doesn't stop people from thinking that way.

[Buckeyeblue]

7. It will be interesting.

If the SC flips abortion, I don't think we can use past indicators to predict turn out.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

8. Agreed.

It looks like that is what is going to happen and I think it will motivate voters.

[Voltaire2]

9. It will also tell us just how fucked older generations are.

[William Seger]

11. ... and democracy!

It's frightening how many efforts there are around the country to heavily tilt the playing field or even give state legislatures the power to trash the votes if they don't like the outcome.

[Mariana]

12. It will tell us how much old people care about those things, too.

Will most of them vote for Republicans as usual?

[Kaleva]

22. Older people historically have the highest voter turnout.

Young, 18-34, have the lowest. A big increase in turnout of the young, who tend to be more liberal, would make a difference for us. It'd be a Blue wave if younger turnout matched that of older turnout. But it depends on how important they think women's rights, gun violence and climate change are. Is it enough to get them to register and vote?

"Turnout by Sex and Age
In 2020, 68% of women eligible to vote reported voting — higher than the 65% turnout for men.

In the 2016 election, 63% of women and 59% of men reported voting.

Voting rates were higher in 2020 than in 2016 across all age groups, with turnout by voters ages 18-34 increasing the most between elections:

For citizens ages 18-34, 57% voted in 2020, up from 49% in 2016.
In the 35-64 age group, turnout was 69%, compared to 65% in 2016.
In the 65 and older group, 74% voted in 2020, compared to 71% in 2016."

https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2021/04/record-high-turnout-in-2020-general-election.html

[Marius25]

13. They don't care enough about those issues.

The two main issues most people are focused on are gas prices and inflation. Nothing else matters.

[Trust_Reality]

14. As portrayed on TV. Perhaps that's not true.

I say younger people care, a lot, but the screwed up Congress/Senate (by Republicans like Moscow Mitch) must make them very discouraged.

[Trust_Reality]

15. Encourage everyone you know, or don't know, to

vote AGAINST

liars

greed

racism

and assault weapons.

[NCLefty]

16. I hope Dems advertise on "Insta" and Tik Tok

How else do we reach these mysterious, non-voting creatures? 😐

[ripcord]

17. My 18 year old nephew said voting doesn't matter

I had an almost overwhelming urge to literally kick him in the ass.

[NickB79]

18. One way or another, it will be a litmus test for sure

[lees1975]

19. The Republicans are planning in the open to steal the 2022 Midterm elections...

They've announced they are sending an "Army" of poll watchers to challenge poll workers and votes.
They are narrowing the windows for early voting.
There are restrictive laws in multiple states roadblocking and setting up obstacles primarily for minorities to be able to turn out and vote.
They are making it possible for state legislatures controlled by them to determine the outcome of elections, rather than vote totals.

When is the Democratic party going to wake up?

If young people, old people, white people, black people, brown people, asian people, every registered Democratic voter doesn't get past their petty issues, and make sure they vote for their party's candidate in November, it may be the last time they get to vote.

Who's going to light the fire and get out the vote?

[PJMcK]

21. This fall will tell us how much young people care

That's all.

I do agree with your point, however. The mid-terms will be very instructive. We're developing plans for several different outcomes, both this year and in 2024.

Apathy among young voters has often been a problem. Let's see how much they care about their futures.