Young voters in the US turned out in record numbers in 2020, powering Biden's presidential victory

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Over half of all voters under the age of 30 voted in the 2020 elections, a record figure, and the demographic powered President-elect Joe Biden's victory over President Donald Trump, according to data from the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement at Tufts University.

The data revealed that 52% to 55% of registered voters under 30 cast ballots. In the 2016 presidential election between Trump and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, roughly 42% to 44% of voters in this age group voted.

This year, the voters under 30 who cast ballots this year overwhelmingly supported Biden over Trump by a 60% to 36% margin, according to Edison Research. In 2016, many of these same voters supported Clinton over Trump by a narrower but still significant 55% to 36% margin.

Early data from Colorado, Georgia, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington state showed a huge increase in youth turnout, according to The Hill.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/young-voters-in-the-us-turned-out-in-record-numbers-in-2020-powering-bidens-presidential-victory/ar-BB1bg3EF?li=BBnb7Kz

[Walleye]

1. Way to go, young people. We counted on you,and you delivered

[Fiendish Thingy]

2. And we will lose them in 2022 if Trump isn't prosecuted, or progressives policies abandoned. Nt

[pat_k]

4. Not just the youth vote.

We need to do more than "keep" those who turned out to defeat Trump.

Engagement that drives change requires a couple ingredients that too few of us have.

1. A belief that this is OUR government, and if we want something, we can make it happen.

2. A vision of what we can and should be grounded in moral principle and the aspirational values expressed in the Declaration of Independence. (Values we have allowed to be violated since those words were written. But, I do not believe that past is prolog. I think more of us can internalize the vision. And that’s the first step in the journey to ACTUALLY starting to build "a more perfect union." )

A vast majority believe political change is the responsibility of elected officials and "professionals." That is, “politics” is not for us "regular people." That sort of alienation from our own government sets things up for anger and resentment and apathy against this “alien” government thing that is failing us. It opens the door to the sort of demonization we are seeing. It immobilizes.

The truth, that WE are the real movers IF we choose, is the antidote.

I think we can do a better job of rekindling belief in some of the fundamental values that drive change if we focus on the foundation: a vision of what is possible and a belief in our power to acheive it.

Leaders in the Democratic party do a terrible job of focusing on big themes and goals. They get mired in details. The focus is solely on what is immediately doable, not building a vision of what we can and should be as a people or instilling confidence in people-power.

It is possible to "walk and chew gum." Our leaders can focus on an immediate agenda while making the case, "loud and proud," for things like universal health care, reparations, wealth tax, an overhaul of our shameful and equitable education system, and basic income.

Our so-called "leaders" aren't going to do this on their own. Beltway group think is too powerful. It's up to us to push them.

If no one is out there working to build consensus for changes that would transform the nation into one that Americans can truly be proud of, we will NEVER get there.

For example, in the fight for universal health care we have repeatedly allowed it to be shot down with "can’t afford” this or that detailed plan before building a consensus on basic principles -- principles that, when more generally accepted, demand implementation of universal health care.

Where there is a will, there is a way. The principles drive the definition of the goals and then we can lobby for a plan that fulfills the goals – including a plan for paying for it. (Like a wealth tax – but that is grounded in another set of principles.).

[McKim]

13. Thank You Pat!!!

Thank you, Pat, for these encouraging words. The "can't afford it" argument is false. There's always money for war, it seems, and we must constantly have "enemies" and "adversaries" to keep the money rolling to war contractors. We need to take care of our own people first!

[dustyscamp]

14. Great points

[qazplm135]

6. over a third voted for Trump

and young voters are still the lowest turnout age group.

I'm sorry, but I'll never understand prioritizing their wants and needs over every other age group, particularly when every other age group turns out better.

[Mariana]

9. The majority of voters over 45 voted for Trump, again, just like in 2016.

So we should do what they want?

[qazplm135]

11. You are mixing two distinct groups

45-64 and 65+ voted differently and you know that.

But yes, we should prioritize the groups that routinely show up over the one that routinely trails the rear.

[ancianita]

7. Agree. They were wise enough to vote for Biden; we should be wise enough to seek healing justice.

For the Black and Latino voter demographics, as well.

I wish reports would include raw numbers and not muddy reality with just percentages.

[SWBTATTReg]

3. Thank god for their support. I wish them all the best, such a major xmas gift to us all.

[abqtommy]

5. Thank you for your support. We've assembled a diverse and effective group of voters and

we can do anything if we just stick together!

[Tommymac]

8. I first voted when I was 18...and for 44 years have not missed voting in an election.

Once you get your feet wet it is addicting.

I suspect a large percentage of those Young people will now vote regularly for the rest of their lives.

This news is very heartening for the World's future.

[apnu]

10. Dear young voters, we need you in 2022 and every election after that.

Voting is a life long thing, not a once-in-a-while gig.

[LudwigPastorius]

12. Nice to know the TV Clown in the Oval Office's appeal to racism doesn't work...

as well on the younger generation.