Engaging the Youth Voter

if you don’t utilize social media you are missing out on the opportunity to communicate effectively with the youth generation.

“I think that most of the youth feels as if the vote is ineffective and I think they need to be educated to see that the vote is important.”

The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) estimates that 23.7 million young people voted in the 2016 presidential election. That represents 50% of citizens aged 18-29 in the United States.

Jason Lamb, President of the Student Association at Front Range Community College in Longmont, spoke with KGNU’s Rossana Better on National Voter Registration Drive Day. The event was organized by the League of Women Voters of Boulder County.  Jason says that all political parties need to engage young people and they can do this through reaching out directly through events on college campuses – but he says, they should be fun and informative.

“Make the people of the colleges aware when and when the deadlines are, when you can register to vote, maybe more events when they seem so boring.”

Lamb says that the internet and social media also present a huge opportunity to engage young voters.

“Social media is utilized by the youth of this country and of every country at this point, if you don’t utilize social media you are missing out on the opportunity to communicate effectively with the youth generation.”

- Rossana Longo Better is the KGNU/League of Women Voters Boulder County public policy/media intern.