Power Up: Will there be a youth wave? Early voting points to yes

[DonViejo]

By Jacqueline Alemany November 5 at 5:39 AM

Outside the Beltway

THE YOUTH WAVE?: Youth turnout rates in the midterm early vote are up by 125 percent compared to 2014, according to Catalist, a voter database servicing progressive organizations — an eye-popping and historically high figure, say strategists on both the left and the right.

Young Americans ages 18 to 29 who say they are definitely voting tilt leftward, according to polls. But the data also shows young Republicans are bubbling with enthusiasm headed into tomorrow.

-snip-

An “attitudinal” shift: A recent Harvard Institute of Politics poll indicated the most dramatic shift in their polling history is young people’s attitudes about whether politics makes a tangible difference in their lives. John Della Volpe, IOP's polling director, said pollsters saw a 15-point increase post-2016.

Per the poll: Forty percent of 18 to 29-year-olds reported they will “definitely vote” in the midterms (54 percent of Democrats, 43 percent of Republicans and 24 percent of independents).

more
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/paloma/powerup/2018/11/05/powerup-will-there-be-a-youth-wave-early-voting-points-to-yes/5bdf5c391b326b39290545bd/

[beachbum bob]

1. anecdotal evidence, our county clerk has commented that in 16 years of being the

county clerk and early voting, he has never seen so many under 30yr olds early vote. The don't run a database on age so I can't get any hard numbers, but our clerk is a straight shooter.

[Pacifist Patriot]

2. More anecdotal evidence...

I have a number of friends who are poll workers and poll watchers. They commented on the way higher than usual amount of young voters during my county's early voting in Florida. Said they have never ever seen anything like it. Which raises my spirits because the young folks I know are all vote by mail college kids and excited first time voters intent on going to the poll on election day because...it's election day. Like the air is going to smell different or something. LOL!

[beachbum bob]

3. we can hope and this is the one of several BIG demographics that pollsters understate in their model

Its the same all over america...

[lostnfound]

4. They had Obama for eight formative years...what a contrast.

Trump is the ninth president of my “aware” life. I remember Nixon and those who came after him. Obama was the best. When I look at a young person who was 8 when Obama was elected, who saw my happiness at his election and the deep and abiding respect that kept growing for his character, I know that the imprint of what the word “President” means was shaped by him. The young man I mention is just a little too young to vote...but definitely in 2020.