Dear Alliance Friends,
As we reflect on the 2024 election, one thing is clear: the connection between young voters and the political landscape is shifting in ways that demand our attention. Now, with a new Trump administration and Project 2025 on the horizon, our rights, progress, and future are at stake. This moment calls for nothing less than our full courage and commitment.
While bright spots emerged—highlighted by substantial gains in youth voter registration, with 13 states seeing more registered voters than in 2020—overall youth turnout dropped to 2016 levels (42%), signaling concern that so many young people saw neither party as a viable option. But the data is clear: we’re losing the cultural and narrative battle with young voters. |
- Young voter support for the Democratic candidate fell significantly; Harris led Trump by just 6 points, compared to Biden’s 25-point lead in 2020.
- For the first time in 20 years, a majority of White youth supported the Republican candidate.
- Support among Black, Latine, and Asian youth dropped over 20 points.
-
Young men swung towards Trump, going from a 15-point margin for Biden in 2020 to an 11-point margin for Trump this cycle.
- For the first time in two decades, support among young women for the Democratic candidate fell below 60%.
|
These shifts aren’t just a trend among young voters—they reflect broader dynamics within the electoral landscape. |
To respond, we must reimagine how we connect with voters across race, class, and education—especially young people. This means investing in persuasion alongside mobilization: embedding ourselves in cultural media spaces, collaborating with trusted messengers across platforms, and crafting a clear vision for economic hope and justice. To build a movement young voters genuinely believe in, we must center their vision and aspirations for the future. We cannot simply ask for their votes—we must earn their confidence.
We know that resisting this extremist agenda will take more than courage. We must support grassroots groups on the front lines, equipping them with the resources they need to protect our communities and advocate for our rights. This moment calls for a unified force driven by a shared commitment to justice and the belief that our collective power can overcome even the most daunting challenges. And while the road ahead is tough, there is hope.
In moments like these, we are reminded of the extraordinary power and unwavering spirit of young people who dare to dream of a better world. We are so incredibly proud of our Network and all the youth organizers who poured their hearts, sweat, and time into turning out the youth vote. This year, our Network: |
-
Registered 85,067 young voters ready to make history.
- Secured 284,033 Pledge to Vote commitments from folks who believe in our power.
- Knocked on 1.3 million doors and made 6.8 million calls, spreading hope and knowledge, one conversation at a time.
-
Engaged over 200 campuses, igniting sparks across the country.
- Distributed 1.2 million voter guides to educate young voters.
|
Across our nation, we are celebrating: |
-
Abortion Measures: Safeguarding reproductive rights across Arizona, Colorado, Nevada (pending 2026 approval), and Montana.
-
Arizona (AZ Poder): Leveraging grassroots influence to organize and fight for City Council and School Board wins.
-
Colorado (New Era Colorado): Mobilizing young voters to pass Amendment J, repealing the state’s same-sex marriage ban.
-
Montana (Forward Montana): Securing two State Senate, ten Assembly seats, and a Supreme Court win.
-
North Carolina (North Carolina Asiam Americans Together): Organizing across 50 campuses to defeat extremist MAGA candidates, and instead elected Josh Stein as Governor, Jeff Jackson as Attorney General, and Mo Green as Superintendent of Public Instruction.
-
Washington (Washington Bus): Mobilizing voters to defeat measures against greenhouse gas taxes (BM 2117) and capital gains taxes (BM 2109), advancing sustainability and economic equity in the state.
-
Wisconsin (Leaders Igniting Transformation): Limiting Republican control by gaining ten Assembly and six Senate seats, creating momentum for flips in 2026. (Three close races for Assembly seats remain to be called.)
|
Our work does not stop here—this energy is the foundation for building long-term power. Together, we are not just shaping the outcome of elections; we are transforming the future. The road is long, but we walk it together, full of hope and ready to organize. In Solidarity, Dakota Hall Executive Director |
|
|
Alliance for Youth Action
650 Massachusetts Ave NW
Ste 600
Washington, DC 20001
United States |
If you believe you received this message in error or wish to no longer receive email from us, please unsubscribe. |
|
|
|
