Youth turnout exploded during the 2018 midterm elections under President Donald Trump. Then in 2020, energized opposition to Trump among young voters was critical to his defeat. And in the 2022 midterms, surging youth participation helped fend off the widely predicted “red wave.” Even some Republicans fear that expanding youth populations in swing states pose a long-term threat to the GOP.
New data supplied to me by the Harvard Youth Poll sheds light on the powerful undercurrents driving these developments. Young voters have shifted in a markedly progressive direction on multiple issues that are deeply important to them: Climate change, gun violence, economic inequality and LGBTQ+ rights.
– Greg Sargent at the Washington Post on the long term direction of younger voters.
Here's a graph which accompanies the article.
NOTE: This polling was done in March – well before the wildfires, air quality decline, and record high temperatures of this summer.
On all four issues mentioned in the article (LGBTQ+ rights, climate action, economic security, stricter gun regulation) the Republican Party has appalling records which only continue to worsen. If anything, the GOP has gotten increasingly homophobic, more closely aligned with the NRA, more in denial about climate change, and perpetually opposed to food assistance for those in need. And of course Republicans suck bigtime on reproductive freedom; Republicans are endangering US national security in an anti-abortion hissy fit.
The only way to defeat Republicans is to vote Democratic and to never miss an election. Don't be misled by some third party self-anointed savior. Vanity candidates from minor parties never win and are often found to be getting financial backing from Republican sources.
Register and vote. And remember that if you've moved since the last election then you need to register with your new address.
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