By Renee Drummond
Did you know that 62% of young people (18-34yo) find that it is hard to make ends meet – who’s gonna tell them? Making ends meet is a common issue among most Americans. It has been clearly demonstrated through the first two weeks of the Trump administration that there isn’t a plan in place to make that issue any easier going forward. Yet somehow, the Republicans registered more young people that us in the 2024 election cycle. We are all aware that there may be some less than honest campaigning happening on the other side of the aisle – so how did they have such an impact on our young vote? I bet you would be shocked to find out that 1 in 3 young voters were NEVER contacted by any political organization in the last election cycle. Most youth have an ambivalent relationship with political parties and the difference in the youth vote could be impacted by simply making contact with them!
In a post election survey conducted by Tufts University they found 1 in 10 young voters did not know how to register to vote or had issues completing the application. Minorities and non-college educated youth were two times more likely to have issues. These statistics are astonishing – imagine all the things you have learned in your life. While some things you may have learned on your own, the vast majority of your knowledge came from assistance from outside sources. Nobody is watching a youtube video on how to drive a car as their only education prior to hoping on 64 (or maybe they are judging by the daily traffic). The point being, you don’t know what you don’t know. We need in most cases some sort of guidance from the professionals if you will – a driving instructor, a mentor, a trusted friend.
The concerns of the youth are valid, they are concerns that many of you reading this will share. We have to evaluate how to support these young people as they become adults and be that mentor and friend. Cova Coalition has big plans this year to be where the young folks are. High schools, community events and social gatherings. We have to help ensure that the marginalized groups have the support they need so they are able to participate in the most fundamental pieces of our government. If you feel like I do and would like to get involved, I encourage you to reach out, sign up for Voter Registration volunteer opportunities or join our Voter Registration and Education Committee.