By Maya Traska
As questions around why young adults vote or don’t in recent years, data from the 2024 election reveals noticeable imbalance in youth turnout. An estimated 55% of white youth vote, compared to 43% of Asian youth, 34% of Black youth, and just 32% of Latino youth." A key factor influencing youth participation is political knowledge and awareness. Stonehill College Sociology Professor Irene Houde said, “I think knowledge awareness influences young adults to a specific extent.” If young adults stay informed about voting, politics, candidates, and the issues, they are more likely to go out and vote in an election.
Social media plays a major role in shaping how young people view politics by increasing engagement and access to information. This can be a positive force, but too much information will lead people into overthinking who or what they should vote for.
Compared to previous generations, today’s young people feel both empowered and disappointed. “We live in a very interesting time politically. If you have a drive about politics, you are more in the sense to vote than if you couldn't care less about it.” Professor Houde said. Some people are motivated by information online, while others feel detached because they believe a candidate doesn’t represent them.
Peer groups and social circles like your friends can also influence youth voting behavior. Talking with friends can ethically inform others on a certain topic.“For me, listening to my friends talking about politics made me think more about controversial topics and ideas to help better my sense of going out to vote.” student Kaitlin Sulik-Doty said.
Professor Houde talks about how education and socioeconomic status also impact whether young people vote. Students may be dramatically exposed to how things are presented, which affects their political understanding. Still, it's complicated to describe what is really going on, especially without access to clear and unbiased resources.
For Naylanni Baez, voting is critical because it ensures peoples voices will be heard even if you feel like a minority group “All the voices of the people are heard, especially those that are minorities.” She believes that participating in elections is a way to show your perspectives on underrepresented communities and promote fairness in today's society. Olivia Nascimento emphasizes the power of action, she said, “Because there is strength in numbers, and every vote counts. It’s like the lottery. You can’t win if you don’t play.” For her, voting is a right but a necessary step to make a difference in our world. If you don’t participate, you lose the chance to influence outcomes. According to CIRCLE’s analysis, almost half of young people ages 18–29 cast a ballot in the 2024 presidential election. This was slightly lower than in 2020, but still a strong showing compared to past elections.
To boost youth turnout, educational institutions could play a larger role. “College-level intro to politics and student-led groups, like a democratic group or a Republican group,” can create space for deeper understanding, Houde said “they are just fighting and not actually talking about the real meaning of politics and what their side has to offer.”
Ultimately, a lot of young adult voters take their parents' side and what their beliefs are, without really looking into which side they might agree with more. Encouraging independent thought and practical civic education can transform passive observers into active participants. With better tools and honest dialogue, young voters could become a major force shaping the political landscape.
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