Millennials, this is your election
The nation’s largest and most powerful voting block is adults 18 to 30. Their views vastly diverge from older adults and the political status quo, according to Pew Research, yet because folks over 50 are the largest group who actually vote (for now), election results reflect their wishes.
At the same time, rarely do elections have more potential for meaningful policy change. With 435 House seats, 35 Senate seats, and 36 governorships up for grabs, party majorities could shift on Tuesday. The stakes could hardly be higher.
Millennials are more likely to vote in presidential elections, but it’s midterms which have the greatest effect on American policies and day-to-day life. State legislatures, Congress, and municipal officials are the ones empowered to make and change law. Yet young adult voter registration at midterms has dropped.
So how would Millennials and the brand-new voters, Generation Z, vote?
Their election absences notwithstanding, Millennials do care about pressing issues, generally favoring more gun control, raising minimum wage, reduced racism and other discriminations, gender equality, universal health care access, and a more proactive stance on climate change. They seem to favor social media and grass-roots movements, including mass mobilizations against gun violence in response to school shootings, #Metoo, and protests against racial discrimination.
Why don’t they vote? According to civicyouth.org, their answers include too busy (33.5 percent), not interested (17.2 percent), out of town or forgot (20.4 percent), as well as didn’t like the candidates, had registration/transportation problems, or election hours were inconvenient (less than 6 percent each).
These are the internet generations. If it ever becomes possible, voting from a smart phone would address most of that.
Yes, voting is necessary to address issues young adults care about, but it’s a mistake to see them as apathetic. As professor Russell Dalton of University of California-Irvine’s Center for the Study of Democracy told BestColleges.com:
“They’re more active in lots of things, from working with community groups to giving money to a campaign or political causes … but they’re really turned off by elections and elected politicians.”
Millennial passion — while relatively absent at the polls — is driving subtler shifts in societal views about big issues. Their aversion to the electoral process is rooted in a perceived lack of dynamic, truthful, and effective politicians who are interested in the common good.
That may sound cynical, but certain data backs them up. An extensive Princeton University study of laws and expressed views spanning 30 years (reported in this column July 26) found that the American masses — who should be the heart of influence in a democracy — have little to no influence on policy and federal government. Instead, the comprehensive report concluded U.S. law and policy mostly reflects the expressed interests of wealthy elites and organized business interests, “while average citizens and mass-based interest groups have little or no independent influence.”
Could a massive surge in Millennials voting their consciences change that? Quite possibly. Could it speed up what — given their inevitable rise to power as they replace their elders — is likely to change anyway in coming decades? Definitely.
But that’s not to say they aren’t changing American culture, if at a tortoise’s pace. Perhaps Tuesday the hare will emerge.
Polls are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday Nov. 6. (It’s too late to vote by mail). Not registered? Just bring an official ID and utility bill, lease or other document proving your address when you vote on election day.
Don’t know whom to vote for? See the Press Voters Guide: https://bit.ly/2SAnIDF
Don’t know where to go? Call the Elections Office at 208-446-1030 or look it up by address: https://bit.ly/2p27g0P
No excuses. Too many close elections prove your vote counts.
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Sholeh Patrick is a columnist with the Hagadone News Network who struggles to accept non-voting from adults of any age. Contact her at Sholeh@cdapress.com.