Podcast Summary
Making Voting More Accessible for Young People: Automatic voter registration and expanded vote-by-mail options have shown success in increasing young voter turnout.
Young voters in the United States historically have the lowest voter registration and participation rates compared to other age groups. This issue is due in part to the registration process, which can be overwhelming for young people who are focused on other aspects of their lives. However, some states have been working to make voting more accessible by implementing automatic voter registration and expanding vote-by-mail options. For instance, automatic voter registration allows individuals to be registered to vote when they interact with the DMV, making the process more convenient. These efforts have shown success in increasing voter turnout among young people. It's essential for young voters to stay informed and engaged in the political process to ensure their voices are heard.
Young voters face double challenge in elections: structural barriers and intimidation: Structural barriers and lack of information lead to young voter intimidation, discouraging participation and perpetuating disconnection from democratic process
Young voters face a double challenge when it comes to participating in elections: structural barriers and intimidation. While efforts are being made to remove structural barriers, many young voters still feel intimidated by the voting process due to a lack of understanding about the various elections and amendments on the ballot. This lack of information and understanding can lead to feelings of uneasiness and uncertainty, even among politically engaged young people. This situation creates a negative loop, as political parties may not invest heavily in messaging to young voters due to historically low turnout, further discouraging young people from participating in the democratic process. This leaves young voters feeling disconnected and unrepresented, perpetuating the cycle. It's crucial to address both the structural barriers and the informational gap to encourage greater political engagement and participation among young voters.
Supporting Young Candidates with Leaders We Deserve: David Hogg's new PAC, Leaders We Deserve, backs young candidates under 35 for federal office and under 30 for state office to counteract policies against Democratic values in Republican-majority states, addressing the financial barrier for young politicians
David Hogg, a school shooting survivor and activist, has launched a new political action committee called Leaders We Deserve. This group aims to support and finance young candidates under 35 for federal office and under 30 for state office. The motivation behind this initiative is to counteract policies that go against Democratic values in states with Republican majorities. Financial stability is a significant barrier for young people to run for office, making initiatives like Leaders We Deserve crucial in creating a more diverse and representative political landscape.
Barrier to entry for young, grassroots organizers in politics: The Change the Game PAC supports young candidates in safe Democratic seats to build a diverse and representative political future
The lack of financial resources for young, grassroots organizers has been a significant barrier for them to run for political office. This issue was highlighted during the Trump presidency when various youth-led movements, such as March For Our Lives and the Movement for Black Lives, emerged in response to conservative actions. David Hogg, a prominent figure in these movements, recognized the need for funding to support these activists and help them transition into politics. However, the strategy for Change the Game Political Action Committee, which Hogg co-founded, is not solely focused on flipping competitive seats. Instead, they aim to plant the seeds for a future political majority by supporting young candidates in safe Democratic seats. This approach allows them to build a strong foundation for future elections and ensure that the next generation of political leaders is diverse and representative of the population.
Supporting young Dems in primaries for change: Group focuses on electing young Dems in primaries, bringing fresh faces & new leadership, potentially impacting up & down ballot for small investment
A group is focusing on helping elect young Democratic candidates in primaries, particularly in blue seats, to bring about change and show a new generation of leadership. This strategy could have an up and down ballot effect and could make a significant impact for a small investment. The group, which includes figures like Maxwell Frost and David Hogg, plans to support candidates in more competitive seats during the general election as well. For now, their priority is the primary elections. This approach not only brings a fresh face to the party but also provides a role model for young people in those areas.
