College Student Voter Turnout Soars to New Heights

EWING, N.J. — A wave of young voters is emerging at The College of New Jersey as they demonstrate a growing commitment to participate in the upcoming general election. Bethany Blonder, a freshman from Ocean Township, is one of many who lined up at the voter information table during lunch, despite initially being drawn there by a fire drill. Blonder, alongside her peers, cited pressing issues like climate change as primary motivators for their voting ambitions.

“All of our lives are at risk — our futures,” she stated, highlighting the urgency felt by her generation. Historically, voters aged 18 to 24 have cast ballots at lower rates than older demographics, often lagging 15 to 20 percentage points behind during pivotal elections. However, recent trends indicate a shift: more than half of Americans in this age group participated in the 2020 general election, marking an increase of over 8 percentage points from 2016.

Young voters are driven by issues including global warming, reproductive and LGBTQ+ rights, gun safety, and student debt. Andrew LoMonte, a sophomore at TCNJ staffing a voter table, articulated the impact of their upbringing, saying they have faced active shooter drills since elementary school. “The dysfunction in politics has motivated us to engage,” he added. Indeed, 66% of college students voted in 2020, a significant increase from previous years, according to a Tufts University study.

The influence of young voters was evident in the 2022 Senate races in battleground states, where their turnout played a decisive role. College students, in particular, have shown increased engagement; for instance, Michigan reported the highest turnout among voters under 30 in the nation at 36% during the last election cycle. Organizations are now experiencing record numbers of youth voter registrations, particularly in states with referenda related to abortion access.

Notable efforts have emerged to encourage participation, such as the Big Ten Conference’s voter turnout competition and initiatives by groups like People Power for Florida, which registered hundreds of students during move-in week. Political campaigns are also ramping up their outreach, utilizing social media to target young voters effectively. Taylor Swift’s endorsement of voting and her call to action resulted in a significant spike in visits to the federal voter registration site.

However, challenges persist. An analysis shows a decrease in college students voting during the 2022 midterms compared to 2018. Various states have implemented measures that complicate voting for students, including restrictions on polling locations and the use of student IDs. McAndrew highlighted that misinformation about voting requirements often discourages potential voters.

In Florida, new laws impose strict penalties on organizations assisting with voter registration, further complicating the landscape for civic engagement. While some colleges are eager to promote voter participation, they are cautious not to provoke state legislatures, which have shown a willingness to target institutions over politically relevant activities.

Notably, youth voter turnout is not uniform across all demographics. Students at private colleges voted at significantly higher rates than those at community colleges. Fields of study also influence participation, with students in education and social sciences more likely to vote compared to their peers in technical areas.

Efforts to bridge this gap continue, with students focusing on issues that resonate with their peers, such as reproductive rights. At TCNJ, more than 83% of students cast ballots in 2020, aided by initiatives like a voter registration contest among residence halls and community service course requirements for first-year students.

Students express a mix of frustration and determination regarding the current political climate. Jared Williams, TCNJ’s student government president, emphasized the need for active participation to break the cycle of disillusionment. His vice president for governmental affairs echoed this sentiment, noting that the issues at stake are immediate, affecting their lives directly.

As apathy giving way to activism, students like Roman Carlise showcase a collective resolve to effect change. “I’m just not the type to say there’s nothing I can do,” he remarked, underscoring a growing recognition of their political power. This story highlights the increasing significance of young voters in shaping the future political landscape.

This story about college student voting rates was produced by The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, independent news organization focused on inequality and innovation in education.