The New York Times reports young voters between 18 and 29 could have significantly impacted Democratic success during the midterms. Although the youth voting blue is nothing new in American politics, an overwhelming majority voted Democrat. More so than any previous generation.
Tufts University’s Tisch College of Civic Life estimates 27% of young voters made it to the polls this midterm cycle. The second-highest turnout rate for voters under 30 in three decades, behind only 2018 with a 31% turnout. However, overall turnout was slightly lower than in 2018 but still higher than usual. What made the difference in this midterm election cycle was the overwhelming Democratic support by voters under 30.
More young voters supported Democrats in 2022 than ever before.
According to CNN, in 2006, the difference in support for Dems between voters under 30 and over 65 was 11%. In comparison, in the 2022 midterms, the difference in Democratic support between the two age groups was 20%. Furthermore, in the 1990 midterms, before voters under 30 in this cycle were alive, there was almost no age gap. What does this mean? Today’s youth are overwhelmingly voting Democrat, more than any generation before.
Additionally, House Dems won the under-30 vote by 28 percentage points, two points higher than in the 2018 midterms. And they won the under-45 vote by 13 points. Conversely, Democratic representatives lost every other demographic by more than 7%. Young voters prevented Democrats from losing even more seats in the House of Representatives.
Why do young millennials and Gen Z overwhelmingly vote blue?
According to The Times, key issues such as abortion rights, gun control, and climate change influenced young voters. For example, 44% of voters ages 18-29 cited abortion rights as their top concern after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Additionally, the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas Highschool in Florida pushed many youths into politics before they turned 18. They’ve lived through the World Trade Center attacks, a pandemic, and two wars, all before turning 30.
Although, economic turmoil has defined the lives of the youth of today more than any other factor. In 2020, The Washington Post called millennials the “unluckiest generation” in the country’s history. That is until the majority of Gen Z enters the workforce. Due to the great recession, millennials have experienced less economic growth than any generation. As a result, they buy houses later in life, have a lower net worth, and make lower salaries than previous generations.
According to Deloitte, the youth are more concerned about making ends meet than ever. Their 2022 survey showed 46% of Gen Z and 47% of millennial participants live paycheck to paycheck. And nearly a third of both demographics don’t feel financially secure.
It will take a few weeks before final tallies show the exact impact of young voters on the 2022 midterms. However, it’s clear that more youth vote blue than ever before. Especially in battleground states, where voters under 30 drove seven of thirteen key races to Democratic victories.
