ALBION, Mich. — Historically speaking younger Americans don’t vote as often as their parents or grandparents.
Just take a look at the data from the past presidential elections, in 2016, Americans aged 18-29 were the lowest represented age group, only about 46% of eligible ones cast ballots according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Compare to that to the nearly 71 % of 65 and ups who voted in 2016.
On college campuses across the country, there’s a push to get younger people to take part in their civic duty.
“Historically college students have not been voting in particularly high rates. And so part of our job as a liberal arts institution is to not only teach chemistry and physics and literature and fine art, but also teach civics and civic responsibility and to help students develop a sense of ownership for their community for their state for their for their nation really and understand the role that citizens play in our in our democracy,” Albion College President Matthew Johnson told FOX 17.
At Albion College this year, students are getting a wide range of instruction. The college is hosting online conferences with locals candidates and giving students the ability to register right on campus, even providing a stamped envelope for their ballot if needed.
“We have seen students eager to participate. We have students who are lobbying one another and sponsoring activities in the fraternities in the social groups in the clubs and organizations talking about the importance of voting the importance of getting engaged in the electoral process and we see our actions paying off,” Johnson explained.
Things appear to be trending upward nationwide, the 2018 midterm elections saw the highest turnout of young voters than any prior midterm.
The census data shows alternative methods of voting, like no-reason absentee played a role, which could also shape 2020 with mail-in-voting becoming even more prevalent .
According to Tufts University, more than 3 million young people have already voted early or absentee in the 2020 election.
