News, Events, and Updates

Getting Out the Young Vote

by Suzanne Eller

Conversations about voting and who is on the ballot are likely to become more frequent as early voting dates approach. Some of you are already knocking on doors, writing postcards, and manning phonebanks. Potential voters for canvassing and postcard drops are often selected because of their previous voting records. 

However, an overlooked group of potential voters is the youth vote. Indeed, according to a study by the Center for American Progress, by 2028, Gen Z and Millennials (voters under 30) will make up more than 50% of eligible voters, and this age group tends to be far less conservative and more likely to vote for progressive candidates than their elders.[1] Young people are, in fact, some of the hardest people to get to the polls. They may not have much interest in politics, either because they find the news uninteresting, too stressful, or simply confusing and so just avoid it altogether or because they don’t think their voice matters. 

This is a group of voters that includes many who cannot remember a time before 9/11 or Columbine. Those graduating this year likely started school the same year Sandy Hook happened, and the first president they probably remember is Donald Trump. Furthermore, they have never seen a Congress that practices compromise and cannot remember a Constitutional Amendment being passed.[2] Conversely, Boomers were instrumental in passing the 26th Amendment that gave 18-year-olds the right to vote and in stopping a war. It’s up to us to teach the younger generation that they can make a difference. Boomers know because we remember doing so. 

A Circle 2024 study found that most younger voters have the desire to vote but often don’t follow through, probably because they don’t understand the process and don’t want to be embarrassed. “It’s rarely apathy or nihilism. Young people are kept away from the polls due to restrictions on access, a lack of trust, and disconnection.”[3] They are also discouraged about how the government has failed them. They are facing a future that promises a lifestyle significantly below that of their grandparents and despair of ever owning a home or being able to afford a family. They worry that college, if they can afford it, will not guarantee a job as they see older friends submit multiple applications for jobs that they are more than qualified to do only to be rejected. Yet traditional campaigns are not reaching 40% of these young voters, including Millennials, who say they have never heard from a candidate.[4] 

This gives us an opening. Effective campaigns meet people where they are. Because many younger voters are looking for community (there is a documented loneliness epidemic among Gen Z, partly because so many activities where they might typically gather cost money!), events like scavenger hunts (check out the app Goosechase that I discovered while doing this article—it’s cool), bike rides with a candidate or to the polls, or even art contests for cash prizes can get young people engaged. The idea is to make voting a culture, and once a core group has been established, the research shows peer-to-peer organizing works best. Third-party people with clipboards showing up at events was a definite turn-off. Talking directly and sharing table resources was better.[5] One group, Donuts+Democracy even offers trainings so that groups can set up a donut wagon to register young voters. The idea started small and has spread to over 180 campuses in 30 states and consists of showing up with donuts where young people are and having real conversations about voting.[6]

Talking to younger voters is really no different from talking to any voter. Listen to what the person cares about. Ask them what is their “pain point”, and then let them do the talking. Being real is more important than being an encyclopedia of information. You can find out anything you don’t already know. Make sure they are registered and/or know how to check their registration. Help them to get registered if they need it. There are groups holding registration drives at the Farmers Market and other locations, and you can go with the person if they are intimidated or help them register online. Ask them to commit to going to the polls and be sure they have transportation. Making registration and the voting process as easy and engaging as possible is one way we can get out the vote with young people. Let’s make the effort. 

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[1] Griffin, R., Frey, W. H., & Teixeira, R. (2020). America’s electoral future. In Center for American Progress. https://www.americanprogress.org/article/americas-electoral-future-3/

[2] Stewart, C. (2025, December 8). Unite & Rise 8.5: How to Engage Young Voters [Video]. In League of Women Voters US. YouTube . https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL33IAmThHpVDZw_9MWOYLLUU7LaU0dHYX&si=yHSQjfRuWbNnk4yV

[3] Girardin, M. (2025). Mobilizing the Youth Vote: Strategies and Challenges. In Good Party. Good Party. https://goodparty.org/blog/article/mobilizing-youth-vote-strategies-challenges

[4] Red Wine and Blue. (2026, May 19). Understanding and Engaging Young Voters. YouTube. https://youtu.be/nMCYqeQGE60?is=gNbC2mpnEij_rOIr

[5] Ibid.

[6] Donuts + Democracy. (2026). Donuts + Democracy. Donuts + Democracy. https://www.donuts-democracy.org/