The new matchup between Trump and Harris is helping Democrats close the enthusiasm gap, in part by capturing the attention and interest of young voters who historically vote at lower rates than older generations. But the historic nature of Harris’ candidacy as the party’s first Black woman and South Asian presidential nominee, coupled with the rapid shift in the campaign’s tone, has young voters of all political stripes taking a hard look — some for the first time — at the role they could play in November.

If motivated, Gen Z voters could have a major impact on elections. Texas’ population has the second youngest median age of any state, other than Utah. And in 2020, there were about 1.3 million Texans ages 18 to 24 who were registered to vote. Those voters have historically turned out to vote at rates lower than any other age range, with voter participation rates increasing steadily as age ranges increase.

About 43% of young Texans aged 18-29 voted in 2020 — an eleven point increase from 2016. 66% of all eligible voters and 76% of eligible voters age 64 and older voted that same year.

  • expatriado@lemmy.world
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    3 months ago

    even if doesn’t flip, i’m all for turning red states into a bluer shade of purple, it delivers its own message

    • shalafi@lemmy.world
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      3 months ago

      Thank you! People think their vote doesn’t count if they lose. Even the dumbest politician can read an Excel sheet and see the gap closing in on them.

    • GlendatheGayWitch@lemmy.world
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      3 months ago

      TX was super close in 2020. Biden only lost by 630,000 votes (less than 5% of registered voters). Biden received more votes in TX than he did in NY!