NextGen America

NextGen America Statement on Midterm Youth Turnout

Today, CIRCLE (Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement) announced that youth turnout reached roughly 31% in the 2018 midterm elections – the highest in over 25 years – with youth supporting Democrats by a 2-1 margin. In response, NextGen America Executive Director Heather Hargreaves release the following statement:

“Yesterday, young people showed up to the polls to make their voices heard and reject Donald Trump and his Republican allies. From the Wisconsin Governor’s race to the Nevada Senate race to House races in between, young people were the deciding factor in Democratic victories across the country. The lesson is clear: Democrats win when we work to expand our electorate, invest in young people and people of color, and stand up for our progressive values. NextGen America has built a movement of young people across the country, and we will continue our work to bring more young people into our democracy and hold newly elected officials accountable to their campaign promises.”

BACKGROUND:

NextGen America’s 2018 efforts to turnout the youth vote:

  • Flipped the Wisconsin Governorship with record turnout in key counties
  • Ran the table in Nevada and elected Jacky Rosen, Steve Sisolak, Susie Lee, and Steven Horsford and passed Question 6, bringing the state one step closer to guaranteeing a 50% by 2030 RPS.
  • Elected three women to represent Virginia in the House (VA-2, VA-7, VA-10)
  • Flipped four congressional seats in PA and made gains in the state legislature.
  • Elected Gretchen Whitmer to MI Governor, along with Tammy Baldwin, Elissa Slotkin, and Haley Stevens, passed redistricting reform, marijuana legalization, and automatic voter registration.
  • Elected New Hampshire’s first openly gay Congressman and flipped both legislative chambers and the Executive Council.
  • Won a crucial Supreme Court seat by electing the Honorable Anita Earls in NC, and broke the Republican super majority in the state legislature.
  • Restored voting rights to over 1.4 million disenfranchised citizens and flipped two Congressional seats in Florida.
  • Elected Iowa’s first two female US House representatives, including one of Congress’ youngest.
  • Defended at least one Democratic Congressional seats and flipped AZ-02.

Read about NextGen America’s 2018 efforts in full here.