Student Vote Surges in Tight Primary Race in New Hampshire
NEXTGEN NEW HAMPSHIRE 2020 PRIMARY: BY THE NUMBERS
TOTAL PAID STAFF ON THE GROUND: 17
TOTAL VOLUNTEER SHIFTS: 1,007
TOTAL CAMPUSES WITH PROGRAM: 12
TOTAL PLEDGE TO VOTE CARDS COLLECTED: 9,550
TOTAL RIDES TO THE POLLS GIVEN: 1,835
TOTAL TEXTS SENT: 12,196
Manchester, NH — Despite attempts by Governor Sununu and Republican lawmakers to confuse and disenfranchise students, young voters came out in historic numbers yesterday to vote in the first-in-the-nation primary. NextGen New Hampshire played a pivotal role in mobilizing this young cohort of voters by running strong campus-based programs across the state. New Hampshire’s top two finishers last night were overwhelmingly supported by the youth vote, proving that young Americans will play a pivotal role in choosing the Democratic nominee in this tightly contested primary. Voter turnout increased by over 25% in Hanover and close to 20% in Durham two towns where NextGen ran comprehensive campus voter turnout and rides to the polls programs.
“Young voters were fired up, informed, and became the margin of victory in last night’s tight primary contest,” said Brian Rogers, NextGen New Hampshire State Director. “Young voters have the power to swing elections in New Hampshire. As they continue to mobilize around elections in record numbers we’ll continue seeing progress ending climate change, and improving access to affordable higher education and healthcare. Last night’s results are a preview of things to come, and the youth vote is going to define the 2020 election cycle.”
Overall turnout in the Granite State surpassed 2016 levels and broke 2008 record levels thanks to a strong showing from campus-based voters. NextGen New Hampshire has been monitoring turnout at its “Youth Vote Indicator Precincts,” polling locations where students who live on college campuses will cast their ballots. NextGen tracked overall turnout and saw an increase in all four big student towns with a total increase of 2,126 more votes in 2020 than 2016 primary and 3,765 more votes in 2020 than 2008 primary.
| Polling Place | Campus | 2008 Dem
Votes | 2016 Dem Votes | 2020
Dem Votes | Turnout Increase
from 2008 | Turnout Increase
from 2016 |
| Keene | Keene State College | 6,306 | 6,679 | 6,855 | +552 | +176 |
| Hanover | Dartmouth | 4,793 | 4,312 | 5,404 | +611 | +1,092 |
| Plymouth | Plymouth State University | 1,404 | 1,681 | 1,743 | +339 | +62 |
| Durham | UNH | 2,647 | 4,117 | 4,913 | +2,266 | +796 |
###
NextGen New Hampshire is the largest organization in the state that will focus solely on getting voters aged 18-35 to the ballot box to elect progressive candidates up and down the ballot in 2020. NextGen New Hampshire is committed to pledging 19,000 young people to vote and reaching over 42,000 people under the age of 35 by finding young voters in-person, online, and through the mail. NextGen’s youth vote program will continue through the General Election in November to ensure that Granite State voters send a Democrat to the White House, re-elect Senator Shaheen, and remove Governor Sununu from office. For more about NextGen America’s 2020 program please visit, www.nextgenamerica.org/2020