By Gala Batres
Past elections have shown millennials comprise a third of the electorate although some millennials think their votes don’t count.
According to data provided by Pew Research Center’s analysis of the U.S. Census Bureau, “In 2016, the youngest voting demographic in the United States, the 18- to 35-year olds, referred to as the millennials, comprised 31 percent of the voting electorate. The youth voting population is presently at its peak and almost at par with baby boomers aged 52 to 70 years, who have been historically the strongest voter population in the country. If a majority of millennials vote on Election Day, it would have a huge impact on the outcome.”
Pew Research Center’s 2018 study titled “Millennials Approach Baby Boomers as America’s Largest Generation in the Electorate” stated, “As of November 2016, an estimated 62 million Millennials–adults ages 20 to 35 in 2016– were voting-age U.S. citizens surpassing … Generation X members … and moving closer in number to the 70 million Baby Boomers aged 52 to 70. Millennials comprised 27% of the voting-eligible population in 2016, while Boomers made up 31%.”
The U.S. Census Bureau stated 46.1% of millennials voted in 2016 predominantly for Hillary Clinton. Prior to that election, 46% of that same age group voted in 2012 for Barack Obama and 50% showed up to vote in 2008 for Obama.
Brenden Aguayo, College of Southern Nevada student, said, “I am voting for the 2020 presidential election because I want to have a leader that can benefit everyone.”
Although many millennials showed up to vote last few elections, there is an impression that millennials don’t vote.
According to a 2016 Millennial Poll Analysis conducted by Circle, an organization from Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life at Tufts University, an overwhelming amount of information from campaigns and the media causes young people to become skeptical about voting. They question the fairness of elections and the legitimacy of the system.
Adrien Ellison, CSN student, said, “I’m not voting because I think my vote doesn’t matter. I believe that the electoral vote trumps out mine. I don’t think I could vote and be completely truthful about it when deep down I know my single vote doesn’t make a difference for our country, but I would want other people to vote.”
In the last election Donald Trump won the electoral college but lost the popular vote by nearly 3 million. He became president even though Clinton won the people’s vote. Ellison’s concerns are real.
Donald Mirjanian, CSN political-science professor, said, “If people don’t vote then they don’t get the representation they are entitled to. People are not voting because they believe their individual vote does not matter or it will not make a difference, but if everybody thinks that way then no one will go vote.” Mirjanian added, “Not voting costs you more and elected officials notice the people who vote.”
Coyote Student News at the College of Southern Nevada 