Voter Registration is Spiking, Particularly Among Young Adults
Category: News & Politics
Via: tessylo • 3 weeks ago • 107 commentsBy: Maya Marchel Hoff, USA Today
Voter registration is spiking, particularly among young adults
(This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.)
Voter registration is breaking records as Election Day approaches, particularly among young people, many of whom are first-time voters.
On Tuesday's National Voter Registration Day more than 150,000 people registered through Vote.org, the most the organization has ever seen on that day. The organization registered 279,400 voters in all of last year .
Last week, 337,826 people visited a link posted on Instagram by pop star Taylor Swift that directed them to their state's voter registration site.
Although Swift noted that she would be voting for the Democratic candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris , people don't have to declare a party affiliation when they register and neither vote.org nor Swift tracked registrations by party. Vote.org has previously told USA TODAY that about 80% of people they register turn out in the next election.
Jon Luke Young, manager for the Get Out the Vote department of the New Georgia Project, speaks with canvassers to encourage people to register to vote in Atlanta, Georgia on May 12, 2022.
A huge percentage of the newly registered voters are young people, many voting for the first time.
According to Vote.org, voters under 35 made up 81% of Tuesday's registrations, with the biggest spike among 18-year-olds. On this year's National Voter Registration Day, 11% of those registered were 18, which is 53% higher than on the same day four years ago.
"We're really seeing a surge in 18-year-olds registering to vote." Vote.org CEO Andrea Hailey said. "We know that we can onboard the next generation of voters into our democracy if we can get people to register and get out to these elections."
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren , a Democrat, is also trying to make it easier for people to register to vote.
After years of lobbying, she announced Friday that those filing out applications for health insurance through the HealthCare.Gov website would be offered an option to receive information on voter registration.
“The health of our democracy depends on Americans registering and exercising their right to vote," Warren said in a statement. Many people looking for coverage through the website have low-wage jobs that don't offer insurance or are just coming off of their parents' insurance at age 26.
"I’ve pushed for the government to use every tool to make it easier to register, particularly for younger and lower-income individuals, and this update is an important action by the Biden-Harris administration to protect the right to vote for all Americans,” Warren said.
Others are finding creative ways to register young voters, including Ezra Gershanok, whose New York City apartment subletting company, Ohana, is reaching younger people in a way that catches their attention: funny memes.
He and others at the company have been passing out flyers with election-related jokes and a QR code that leads to a voter registration site.
Ezra Gershanok, co-founder or Ohana, puts up memes with QR codes around New York City get more young people to register to vote.
His hope, he said, is to get young people new to the region ‒ precisely his company's demographic ‒ to register to vote. "This past month, our website traffic hit 40,000 people per month, and a lot of them are these young people that are fresh out of college taking their first job in New York, or in this demographic of folks that don't often register to vote," he said. "So we were like, 'could we make an impact in this election by just getting our own users to register to vote?'"
They hit 445 registrations this week and hope to register 10,000 young people by election day.
"I don't think this would resonate with people in their 40s or 50s, but it definitely resonates with young people," Gershanok said.
To register to vote, go to Vote.gov , vote.org , or your state or local election offices.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Young voters are registering in record numbers
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I think we're going to see a huge wave of young voters voting for Harris/Walz
The registration numbers are definitely encouraging. I believe that most young people know what's at stake in this election.
I read somewhere that 80% of those who registered recently will be out voting - that is promising to me.
... and they won't be participating in any political phone polls.
Who answers their phone anymore if they don't know who is calling? If I don't know the number, I don't answer.
A lot of the old farts aren't so text savvy. Nothing against my dad, but he doesn't text. A lot of older folks don't I think.
I had to learn how to text, or I would've lost contact with my kids. I automatically report unknown callers as spam.
... and why didn't you publish this in the reality show, so your friends could pick off the trolls?
It's been so long since I posted an article, I forgot where best to post.
Why only 80%? If they took advantage of the right to register to vote, why wouldn't they vote? They registered to not vote?
Only people I want to hear from have my phone number. Aren't you able to have an unlisted number? Being an old fart I don't text on my phone. It would take me an hour to punch out a message with one finger, and since I touch-type I'm 1000% faster using my computer.
Create your own group, I'll join.
I'm just being selfish for my own amusement. anywhere outside their sphere of influence works ...
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who were we talking about, again? trolling is a CoC violation ...
I don't know.
it's funny when maga gets treated how they want to treat those that disagree with them, isn't it...
It's easy to post the article but I have trouble posting the accurate picture to go with the article.
I wanted to publish one about that sheriff in Springfield who is terrorizing the Haitian LEGAL citizens residing there but I couldn't figure out how to post a picture of the racist cockkkroach.
I've had this same number for many years and got rid of my landline many, many years ago. I don't want to change my number at this point. If they want to speak to me, they can leave a message.
Cool.
I note those you mention aren't debating the article - just doing what they usually do.
Like I said, nothing against my dad, he still stays in touch with me and the rest of us (five of us kids - three gals - two guys) via phone and in person, but he seems discouraged regarding my one sister who lives out in Bumfuck, VA somewhere - she mainly keeps in touch via e-mail and phone because my dad does not text.
I didn't used to but it is so convenient - it's about the only way I keep in touch with anyone anymore, like most folks I guess.
Luckily we all live close enough that it's not that far away though I hate to drive anymore (I'm becoming one of those old farts - lol) that we can visit often. Except the one sister in Virginia - I don't go that often, but I used to - but not since she moved further away - she used to live in Fairfax, VA, not far from George Mason University - that's only like a little over an hour away, but she moved way out in the sticks when she retired last year - it's like a 5 hour drive.
Think about all the Haitians and Haitian Americans who already live here in the US and I wonder who they're voting for this year???
that's a real head scratcher ...
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These newly registered voters aren't contacted by pollsters so aren't reflected in polling data.
Yes, and? Are you saying that it won't make a difference? Do you speak to pollsters?
mathematically relevant, as are the obtainable call lists by the campaigns.
What I'm saying is that Harris will very likely do better in the election than in the polls. Pollsters don't always have the latest voter reg lists and don't call non-voters.
they usually focus on calling those that were stupid enough to talk to them in the past ...
I think some greatly underestimate the youth vote this time around.
Let's hope so. Young voter turn out is generally low, but with so many registering this close to the election the likelihood is that they intend to vote.
And I'll bet they're damned scared.
I believe that! Scared shitless.
The former 'president' convicted felon rapist traitor petulant 'man' child let us know how scared he was.
I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT
Many agree with him it looks like...........
Taylor Swift has a 44% favorable opinion and 34% unfavorable. Where I went to school 44 is > 34
I don't follow Fux 'news' polls.
The former 'president' convicted felon rapist traitor LOVES the uneducated.
point is, 47 > 44
Only a maga cultist would have a favorable opinion of the convicted felon rapist traitor so that makes sense.
The Hill also published an article today that strongly suggests that Trump's favorable rating is based on racism.
Trump is at 48 percent. How could this be possible but for widespread racism? (thehill.com)
This is your comment to Tessy's comment here
The point is TAYLOR SWIFT!
Nice deflection, BTW
Who was the anchor that he called a brainless bimbo after she called him out?
Trump's entire political career is based on racism.
Exactly, those voters must either be brain-dead or racist. If only the equivocating news media would make it clear how terrible Trump is, even though all the media does is talk about how terrible Trump is.
I don't remember there's been so many
here's a thought - he shouldnt have been terrible.
He's too old to fundamentally change his nature.
So, Fox News and every other rightwing media outlet that practically worships Trump isn't real "media"? Well, I guess I can't argue with you on that point, how can groveling sycophants ever be considered an objective media source.
You've got me.
That's the thing - it was around the same time he said I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT
trump telegraphs his greatest insecurities. when he's denying, he's lying ...
Well, I'm proud of you. It's very big of you to admit it. I think most Trump supporters would try and do as their Dear Leader has taught them, to "deny, deny, deny". Your honesty is a breath of fresh air.
that's the maga party's 2024 platform...
good to hear.
If all these newly registered voters show up on election day Trump is doomed.
I believe a good percentage of them will - like I said above - about 80% of those newly registered, will vote.
and they only have smart phones and don't answer polls.
Me too!
I'll be 62 in October but I'm still young at heart.
I'll be 75 on Sunday. The spirit is young at heart and the mind is sharp, but the body does its own thing. If you are ill getting old is like getting hit by a truck.
You got that right. The chemo is much harder at 70 than it was at 66. Getting old isn't form weak of heart
Then may i wish you a happy birthday beforehand . Just in case im either not around , or which is more likely i forget .
Happy Birthday JR!
thanks
thanks
70 tomorrow.
Yet, getting old is the 'only' game of its kind. 'Use it or lose it.'
I remain in the fight, next chemo session is Wed-Fri.
'Big ups.' To the man who keeps it real on NT every day!
Hip! Hip! Hooray!
Hip! Hip! Hooray!
Hip! Hip! Hooray!
I wish you the best in best of healing properties through treatment, calm, and stress-reduction.
Thanks, I continuing to work remotely like the last time. It takes my mind off of me.
HB
then same to you .
The voice in my head is still 27ish.
... the voice in my head still gets carded.
hb to cj and jr ...
they aint checking to see if your old enough to buy , simply checking to see if you qualify for the seniors discount ., that happens to me all the time now .
I've had to prove I was over 65 before ...
I've had to turn down younger women before, because they didn't know CPR ...
Yeah, Happy Belated Birthday John - I forgot!
Of course I forget why I went into the next room as soon as I get there so .......
Happy Belated Birthday to you too cj
Happy belated b-day, John!
You, too cj
It's called "senior moments" and its real. I know about it.
I've already forgot what we were talking about ...
Not necessarily. There is no guarantee that just because they are young voters they will vote any specific way. They could be registering to protest vote. They could be registering because they are MAGA.
Here's a new polling breakdown -
.
Source
Get out the vote, but get out the female vote especially.
I applied for my absentee ballot two days ago. My wife and daughter usually vote early at a drop-off, opens mid-Oct.
In Texas they made it illegal to drop off mail in ballots except on voting day.
Last time we tried that, it took hours to find parking, get in line etc.
No drop off box any more, get in line and hand them in at the front counter.
It's easier to wait in line a few blocks away at City Hall when early voting starts.
rwnj's with zero integrity worried about voter integrity...
in colorado you can drop them off at any of the many drop boxes, or put a stamp on the envelope, and as soon as the county receives it you get a confirmation email...
of course, anyone with a cutting torch, a forklift, and a 1 ton flatbed could abscond with a ballot drop box...
We have an extreme distrust of DeJoy's plans for USPS of even slower mail delivery with fewer employes and fewer hours.
meh, with the SCOTUS ruling on immunity, space on milk cartons could come at a premium price soon ...
I have a good feeling they're voting blue. I don't think maga are all that motivated.
not doing what they said they did is a common maga malady ...
Do MAGA really not know what is coming at them on November 5th?
MAGA candidates really have 2 major weaknesses in getting elected.
... the sane.
... women.
... sane women.
This is encouraging news
... hence the maga effort to disqualify eligible voters and limit access nationwide.