Are you in your 20s and want to reshape the political landscape of the US, then I have some good news for you. As the 2024 US election day on November 5 draws closer, one key factor could reshape the outcome: the youth vote.

Young voters, ages 18 to 29, can greatly shape the policies and leadership of the United States. Their participation in both primary and general elections is vital.

To understand the importance of youth voter turnout, let’s first look at the trends from the last two US elections.

In the 2016 election, Minnesota saw about 55% of its young voters attend the polls. States like Colorado and Oregon had slightly lower youth turnout rates at 49%, while New Jersey trailed at 41%.

However, the US voter turnout in 2020 leaves you with a different picture:
 

• Minnesota’s youth voter turnout jumped to 69%,
• Colorado’s to 53%,
• Oregon’s to 56%, and
• New Jersey’s to a remarkable 75%.

Multiple factors contribute to this significant rise in votes:
 

• Changes in voter registration processes
• Increased political engagement among young people and
• The overall climate of the election.

What led to this increase in youth voter turnout from 2016 to 2020? Several factors played a role:
 

• Better Voter Access: States like Oregon introduced automatic voter registration, making registering and voting easier for young people. Similarly, robust voter education and same-day registration initiatives pushed youth voter turnout to 75% in New Jersey.
   
• Social Media Influence: The rise of social media platforms played a critical role in mobilizing young voters. With increased access to information and peer influence, more young voters became motivated to participate in the elections.
   
• Youth Engagement Campaigns: Many non-profits and local groups reached out to young voters with campaigns focused on issues that matter to them. These issues concerned matters like climate change, student loans, and job opportunities.

This shows that more young people see the importance of voting and how they can shape the future.

With the 2024 US elections fast approaching, what can we expect from young voters now? Youth voter turnout statistics from past election polls suggest that young people are becoming increasingly engaged in the electoral process.

In 2024, Gen Z alone will constitute 40 million potential voters! From this massive voter count, 8 million youth will have newly reached voting age since the 2022 elections. Together with the youngest Millennials, these young voters could make up nearly one-fifth of the American electorate.

Per the U.S. News-Generation Lab poll, almost half of the youth are “minimally committed” or “uncommitted” to whom they will vote.

Choropleth maps can be a powerful tool for visualizing and understanding youth voter turnout across different states. These maps use varying shades or colors to represent data across geographic areas, such as voter turnout rates.

Choropleth maps can show voters in Minnesota counties or compare Colorado’s turnout with nearby states. These maps help researchers, YouTubers, strategists, and news outlets spot trends and areas where youth engagement needs focus.

These maps compare turnout across states and, over time, show how different strategies work and help predict what might happen in the 2024 elections.

Past elections and what drives youth engagement suggest that young voters will play a key role in the 2024 elections.

As compared to 2020, states like Nevada, Michigan, and Texas already have more young people who want to vote and share their voice.

As the US primary elections get closer, it’s important to know how to boost youth voter turnout. Expanding early voting, improving voter education, and using social media can help get more young voters involved.

Only 31% of young adults polled in late June and early July in the battleground states of Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. They say they are better off than they were four years ago!

For researchers, strategists, media analysts, and YouTubrs, Rizzle’s Text-to-Map can turn election results into visually engaging content.

You can create maps that show where youth votes are coming from and how they might impact the election. These maps help you tell a powerful story, encouraging more young people to see why voting matters and to get involved.

As we move closer to US election day in 2024, it’s clear that young voters have the power to shape the nation's future. Their participation in both the primary and general elections in the US could determine the outcome of the election and the direction of the country.

Understanding and visualizing youth voter turnout is crucial for researchers, political YouTubers, strategists, and news outlets. By leveraging tools like Rizzle’s Text-to-Map, you can create content that informs and inspires action. Every vote counts, and every map tells a story.

How will you use these tools to illuminate the path to increased youth voter turnout in the upcoming election?