Whether we’re sharing election information or supporting young-voter-led organizations, it’s important to speak about the issues that matter most to younger generations. CIRCLE’s survey suggested that the top issues for young people include inflation/cost of living, jobs that pay a living wage, gun violence, and climate change. Because young people are not a monolith, these issues change slightly within different communities; for example, Black youth are significantly more likely to prioritize gun violence prevention, fighting racism, and student debt. These priority issues should impact how we engage with young voters to ensure we meet their needs.
The 2024 election is expected to be highly competitive, and we can’t afford to leave any voices out. We must empower young voters, particularly in states where they’re predicted to have an especially strong influence on election results, like Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
No matter which state we’re in, we must ensure all our voices are represented in our democracy. That includes our most diverse and activism-oriented voters – the same ones who’ll inherit our nation. They deserve to shape their futures. It’s our job to support them.