An increase in social media posts urging young people to become active voters is correlated with 27% of youth voting in the 2022 midterm election. // Photo courtesy of Parker Johnson.
The 2022 midterm elections saw an increase in young voters; college students attribute this to more awareness spread throughout social media and on campuses. Choosing to vote or not can be the result of the political climate, which is often influenced by politicians in office. However, college students don’t always have easy access to voting.
According to the Center For Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, a student organization at Tufts University, 27% of youth aged 18-29 voted in the 2022 midterm elections nationwide. This year was the second highest in young voter turnout in midterm elections in the past three decades.
“There are all kinds of problems in American government and politics right now,” said David Green, a political science professor at Hofstra University. “Young voters are becoming aware that their future is at stake. They’re tuning in [in] ways they haven’t in the past.”
With voter turnout increasing altogether, younger voter turnout can be seen as following a more general pattern.
“Voter turnout has been increasing across all groups,” said Rosanna Perotti, a political science professor. “Young people are simply behaving in a way that’s parallel to all age groups.”
“Exposure is more prevalent,” said Alisha Augustine, a senior political science major who voted in the 2022 midterms. “In social media, there are posts telling people to go out and vote. I think there is more exposure in terms of where students can see that and could possibly get more information about it.”
Augustine saw first-hand how Hofstra has also tried to urge their students to go out and vote on Election Day.
“There was a lot more opportunity and help that was offered for college students, at least on campus,” Augustine said. “The clubs that I’m a part of were sending out information packets and texts about the midterm elections.”
Hofstra Votes is a civic engagement campaign organized by University Relations designed to encourage and assist students on campus with voting. The campaign tabled in the Student Center every week prior to Election Day, and its website includes information on voting guides, absentee ballots, deadlines by state and many more features. It even allows you to access voter registration, showing how easy it is to register to vote.
Additionally, students have access to news like never before thanks to modern technology.
“What’s happening now is because of social media, people are a lot more knowledgeable,” said Muhammad Abdullah Khan, a graduate student at the Frank G. Zarb School of Business. “They know their rights; they know they can have a say in government. It gives you a sense of control and a sense of capability to determine what’s best for you.”
At times, voting turnout is attributed to past administrations and decisions that were made within the presidential term.
“[Former president] Donald Trump probably vocalized many people who had been told that our democracy is in peril and his agenda threatens the climate.” said Richard Himelfarb, a political science professor at Hofstra.
Politicians can mistakenly make people believe that they are the cause of potential irreversible damage to their country.
“I think the Trump presidency probably scared a lot of Americans, which got youth out to vote,” said Stefanie Nanes, a political science professor at Hofstra. “You’ve got a lot of youth who are saying, ‘This is our planet we’re inheriting.’ They’re becoming engaged because the crisis is so big.”
While voter turnout among young people grows, there are still obstacles college students face at election time, such as which state to register in.
“When you’re dorming or not necessarily in a place where you’re supposed to be voting in, it could be more difficult,” Augustine said.
However, students who live near campus can also experience issues with their commute to a polling place.
“The only way I can get home is if I get a ride or take the Long Island Rail Road, which I sometimes can’t do because I have to pay money to do so,” said freshman Didi Paunetto, who studies vocal performance.
Adults of all ages can experience these challenges when it’s time to head to the ballot box. Ideas have surfaced regarding a potential shift in how voting is handled when election time comes.
“Either Election Day should be a holiday or there should be an extended voting period,” said Daniel J. Greenwood, a professor at Hofstra’s Maurice A. Deane School of Law.
Even students who do not live far from their college believe access to voting is essential and there should be more flexibility.
“It should be a national holiday,” said Ché Johnson-McGregor, a sophomore computer science major. “It makes it easier for people to clear their schedules.”
Until these changes can be made, there are alternatives to voting for individuals that aren’t near a local polling place on Election Day. These people can apply for an absentee ballot online by going on their home state’s official website. According to a Gallup poll, 25% of those surveyed said they planned on voting via an absentee ballot for the 2022 midterms.
“The problem for college students is, ‘Do you change your registration to where your university is, or do you try to vote where your parents live even though you’re not likely to be there on Election Day?’” Greenwood said. “Many students end up not voting, and that is a real problem for a democracy.”