A young girl holds a “Vote” pin in her hands while attending a game at Gateway Center Arena in Atlanta.
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A young girl holds a “Vote” pin in her hands while attending a game at Gateway Center Arena in Atlanta.
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Consider This host wanted to explore the concerns of young voters in Georgia ahead of the upcoming presidential election.
To delve into the discussion, she visited a local Mexican restaurant in Atlanta, where the Atlanta Young Republicans gathered for an event.
At the event, attendees enjoyed chips while working to send 1,000 postcards urging voters to support two down-ballot GOP candidates.
Group members expressed varying opinions about Donald Trump, with some showing strong support and others voicing concerns.
Winslow Jones, president of the group, highlighted a collective concern for major issues such as the economy, border security, and local crime rates, stating, “Young Republicans are worried about the economy and crime, especially in our area.”
Jacquelyn Harn, president of the Georgia Young Republicans, shared her thoughts on the excitement surrounding Trump’s third presidential run, emphasizing a desire to return to the policies that benefited them during his previous term.
“We want the conditions we had four years ago,” she noted, stressing that housing costs remain a priority for young voters who believe improvements are unlikely under the current administration.
Harris/Walz Headquarters.
Next, she visited the Harris/Walz campaign headquarters, where a text banking event was taking place.
The room buzzed with activity as volunteers typed away on laptops, aiming to reach men of color aged 27 to 50 through targeted text messages.
Davante Jennings, president of the Young Democrats, explained the significance of the Black vote in elections. He expressed both excitement and exhaustion amidst the intense campaigning, especially since Vice President Harris announced her candidacy.
He highlighted the increased involvement and enthusiasm in the lead-up to the election, adding, “More people are engaged, more canvassing, more work every day.”
Youth Voter Turnout.
Kerwin Swint, a political science professor at Kennesaw State University, emphasized the trend of young voters aligning more frequently with Democratic candidates since the Obama era. He noted the record turnout among young voters in 2020, partly fueled by mail-in voting options.
While visiting Kennesaw’s campus on National Voter Registration Day, a nonpartisan group successfully registered 81 new voters, which showcased the effectiveness of their outreach efforts.
Students voiced their concerns about key issues, with first-year student Yahir Rodriguez citing immigration, education, and housing as priorities.
Rodriguez, a first-generation voter whose family immigrated to the U.S., remarked on the rising costs of housing and the growing influence of corporate landlords impacting affordability.
He looks forward to voting for Harris, but not all peers share his sentiment. Lambianze Jackson, 19, voiced her frustration with both candidates’ policies, arguing that improvements are necessary for Harris to resonate better with young voters.
Reflecting on the current political landscape, she stated, “Kamala needs to better articulate her policies, especially beyond tax cuts for the middle class.”
