The role young voters are taking in this year’s election

The turnout for early voting proves just how much interest this year’s election is generating.

Traditionally young voters don’t tend to show up in very big numbers, but this year could be different for them, too. In a close election, that could mean the difference between winning and losing.

Just last week, college students were learning how to get the vote out this year. Instead of knocking on doors, they’re getting virtual training on running a phone bank.

Brendan Geraghty is a senior at UMass Amherst and is also the chair of Masspirg’s Student Chapter.

“I would say that people are more amped up," Geraghty said. "I think that’s because of a lot of issues over the summer and with COVID. There’s so much going on, I think people have strong opinions.”

Opinions on issues that directly affect their generation, including climate change, economic opportunities, student loan debt, and social justice.

Still, getting young people to the polls has been challenging historically, according to UMass Boston Political Science Professor Erin O’Brien.

“For the most part, 18 to 29-year-olds are half as likely to vote as those 60 and over, so there’s a considerable gap,” O’Brien said.

There are some encouraging signs though. Turnout for the 2018 midterm election was strong among this age group.

A survey by the Harvard Public Opinion Project found that 63% of young people say they’re definitely voting this year compared to 47% who said they would definitely vote prior to the 2016 election.

Professor O’Brien is skeptical that those kinds of numbers will translate at the polls.

“I do think that young people are really excited. They’re really into the election in some ways, but they’re likely to volunteer or take part in political protests. There’s huge distrust of the political system among young people and dissatisfaction with the major political parties two candidates.”

Emily White and Melanie Shark are Northeastern alums who now run #Ivoted.

“I am originally from Wisconsin where the presidential election in 2016 was decided by 22,000 votes and change. Michigan by 10,000 votes and change,” White said.

They’re using free tickets to an election night concert as bait to get young people to vote.

“Fans can access the stream by RSVPing with a selfie at home with their blank unmarked ballot, or from outside their polling place,” White said.

Dozens of artists are scheduled to perform. Many of them are purposely from key swing states, like Christopher Shayne who is based in Phoenix, Arizona.

“We just want to get young people, and everyone excited to vote, thinking about voting, celebrating voting,” White said.

“I think for young people right now it’s urgent,” Shark added. “I mean, voting is only the first step to creating the world they want to see.”

That’s exactly why Geraghty is so committed to creating new voters.

“Once people vote three times in their life, they are a lot more likely to be a lifelong voter, so we’re trying to get that process started now.”

The deadline for Massachusetts residents to register is Oct. 24.

Cox Media Group