Will young voters in swing states decide this election?
Oct 31, 2024
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Alice Herman, a Guardian democracy reporter, dives into the pulse of young voters in Wisconsin ahead of the 2024 election. She explores the Harris campaign’s efforts to engage youth and reveals their potential to swing electoral outcomes. Discussions highlight how influential figures can mobilize this demographic, the role of personal experiences in shaping political views, and the critical issues that matter most, particularly women’s rights and immigration. Through lively rallies, Herman showcases the enthusiasm of first-time voters ready to make their voices heard.
Young voters are crucial in swing states like Wisconsin, having significantly influenced past elections and state political shifts.
Both parties are deploying distinct strategies to engage young voters, focusing on issues like economic concerns and social rights to galvanize support.
Deep dives
The Importance of Young Voters in Wisconsin
Young voters are increasingly seen as crucial in determining the outcome of elections in Wisconsin, particularly due to their significant turnout in past races. In 2022, their participation was instrumental in shifting the state Supreme Court towards liberal candidates, highlighting their potential influence on future elections. As the election date approaches, both Democrats and Republicans are actively courting this demographic, recognizing that their collective votes could be the deciding factor. Engaging with young voters' issues, like economic concerns and foreign policy, becomes paramount for both parties as they seek to galvanize support.
Diverging Perspectives Among Young Voters
The opinions of young voters are varied and often reflect broader societal divides, particularly in their views of candidates and key issues. While some express strong support for Donald Trump based on economic concerns or a desire for an anti-war stance, others are deeply wary of his views and rhetoric, especially regarding women's rights and diversity. For instance, many young women attending events favored Kamala Harris, expressing concerns over Trump's treatment of women and identifying abortion as a key issue. This ideological split underlines the challenge both campaigns face in appealing to this critical voter base while addressing diverse concerns.
Strategies to Mobilize Young Voters
Both parties are employing different strategies to energize young voters as they recognize their significant potential impact on the election outcome. Republicans are attempting to normalize Trump’s candidacy among young supporters by leveraging popular influencers and culturally relevant events to attract interest. In contrast, Democrats, led by figures like Kamala Harris, focus on affirmative messaging and personal connection, emphasizing rights and social issues that resonate with the younger generation. This outreach includes utilizing celebrity endorsements and addressing real-life implications of political decisions, aiming to motivate young voters to participate in the electoral process.
The Harris campaign is making a special effort to reach out to young voters. So how important will they be? The Guardian democracy reporter Alice Herman travels to rallies, campuses and college bars in Wisconsin to get a sense of whether young voters can swing this election
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