Young voters aren’t apathetic. They’re picky.
Turnout among voters under 30 swings harder than any other group. What moves it says a lot about where the country is heading.
By Rusty Calloway No. 005
Every cycle someone writes the same piece: young people don’t vote. Then a year comes along where they do, in numbers that change the outcome, and everyone acts surprised.
The pattern
Turnout for voters under 30 rises and falls more than for any other age group. That isn’t apathy. It’s a group that shows up when it feels like the choice on the ballot is real.
What moves it
Cost of living matters, and so does housing. So does whether a candidate talks to young voters like adults. Campaigns that message at them instead of persuading them usually lose them.
The cheapest way to lose a young voter is to assume you already know what they think.
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Where I land
Calling a whole generation lazy is easier than earning its vote. The campaigns that figure that out first will win more than one election.
Sources
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