Hi friend —

Last week, I joined NextGen America’s Power Hour, where we discussed the huge impact of the youth vote on the 2020 election and the future potential for this ever-growing electorate. I wanted to share some of the main takeaways from that discussion about the future of the youth vote.

NextGen was founded on the idea that young voters are key to progressive success, and this was proven true in 2020. Young people made the difference for Democrats, especially in the battleground states. It showed that organizing matters. The youth vote matters.

This past election saw young voters make up a larger share of the electorate nationwide than we have ever seen. More than 53% of young voters aged 18-35 showed up, and that means 26 million young voters cast their ballots in November. But even more impressive than that, 73% of the voters that NextGen talked to turned out and voted — a higher rate than youth that NextGen didn’t contact.

Click here to see more of the detailed data NextGen collected.

For 2022, our best strategy is to deliver results now. Young people came out for the promise of climate action, racial justice, and workers’ rights. They voted for change. And for change to stick, Democrats need to deliver on campaign promises, and organizers need to continue showing that voting DOES matter. And we must fight the direct efforts to suppress the youth vote across the country. That is how we win.

Investing in the youth vote is a blueprint for winning future elections.

-Tom