by Robbie McEvoy
Voters between the ages of 18 to 29, including new Generation Z voters and the youngest millennials, are historically turning up earlier to the polls and could majorly impact the outcome of the 2020 presidential race.
Voter turnout is up across the nation, but younger voters make up a much larger percentage of the early voting totals than they did at this point in 2016 or 2018.
The increase in early voter turnout can be attributed to several factors such as social justice activism, the coronavirus pandemic and an increase in early voting options.
Torianna Holden, of Omaha, said she is excited to cast her ballot for the first time.
“I understand why the 18 to 29 age demographic has seen a surge in voter registration and early voting numbers,” Holden said. “The younger generations have the luxury to find information at the tips of our fingers. We’re more informed, we understand the consequences, and we’re encouraging our peers to feel empowered by voting.”
Along with the many factors leading to increased early voting, Holden attributes social media as an impressive force for rallying voters.
“Let’s face it, the 18-29 age demographic is more connected through social media than any other generation,” Holden said. “When I’ve used these platforms in the months leading up to the election, I’m seeing messages from friends like, “are you registered?” or “click here to learn about the candidates.”
Looking at key states such as Texas and Florida, an analysis of data done by Tufts University shows major increases in early voting among voters ages 18-29.
For example, in 2016, Texas had 106,000 early voters for the 18 to 29 age demographic. Already in 2020, Texas has 753,600 early voters for the same age demographic.
Following suit, in 2016 Florida had 134,700 early voters for the 18-29 age demographic. However, in 2020 Florida has 433,700 early voters for the same age demographic.
Most experts agree that these voters are overwhelmingly Biden voters. Polls have consistently shown that Generation Z and millennials lean left and support Democratic candidates even though they increasingly registered as independents or no party preference. But, why are they overwhelmingly Biden voters?
Throughout the Oct. 22 presidential debate, President Donald Trump made various false claims regarding voter fraud, mostly concerning early voting options.
Trump made claims such as “When you have 80 million ballots sent in and swamping the system, you know it can’t be done.”
However, this claim contradicts what Trump’s Postmaster General Louis Dejoy, has said. Dejoy told the Senate last month that the Postal Service could deliver the ballots “securely and on time,” adding that it is a “sacred duty.” Dejoy said that Trump’s claims that the postal services can’t handle the ballots are “incorrect.”
“It seems to me that President Donald Trump is scaring his supporters away from the very credible early voting options,” Holden said. “It makes a ton of sense that the people who are voting early are voting for Joe Biden.”
However, Josh Mendelsohn, CEO of Democratic research firm Hawkfish, urges caution.
“Young voters are super unreliable and yet in all of the enthusiasm we’re seeing across the board right now, they’re showing up and that’s pretty cool,” said Mendelsohn in an interview for Politico. “Maybe it’s that young people are really responding to early vote and that might look really different than Election Day. There may very well be a finite universe of these highly enthusiastic young people.”
Holden said this election cycle “as weird as it is, has been extremely eye- opening. It’s exciting to see my age demographic discussing the importance of voting, getting informed, and relaying factual information to our peers.”
However, for Holden, it’ll come down to Election Day and the days following.
“If we don’t know the results of the election on Tuesday night, that’s OK,” Holden said. “With the increase in early voting, I would rather be certain that each ballot is being counted instead of rushing to a result. We are navigating unfamiliar territory this election and we have to remember it’s going to look much different than past elections.”
