The Power of the Youth Vote | Mindy Romero | TEDxUCDavis

Summary

In this compelling speech, the speaker highlights the critical role of voting in empowering young people to effect social change. Despite their historical contributions to movements like Civil Rights and LGBTQ rights, young voters in the U.S. exhibit low turnout rates due to systemic barriers and societal attitudes. The speaker emphasizes the importance of registering to vote, engaging peers in conversations about civic responsibility, and actively participating in elections to ensure that the issues important to youth are represented. By recognizing their collective power, young people can drive meaningful political change.

Takeaways

• 😀 Young people have historically driven social change and played crucial roles in various movements.
• 😀 Voting is fundamentally about power and the ability to effect change on issues that matter.
• 😀 Young voter turnout is significantly lower than older age groups, often by 20-40 percentage points.
• 😀 Many young people feel politically disconnected and believe their vote doesn't matter.
• 😀 Systematic barriers, including poor civics education and registration difficulties, contribute to low youth turnout.
• 😀 Political campaigns often overlook young voters, assuming they are 'not likely voters'.
• 😀 Negative societal attitudes towards young people's voting can further discourage participation.
• 😀 Young people are more numerous than older voters, but their low turnout leaves them underrepresented.
• 😀 Engaging in voting can lead to significant changes, as seen in elections like 2008 and Proposition 30 in California.
• 😀 Individuals can make a difference by registering to vote, educating peers about voting, and mobilizing for elections.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the speech?

The speech emphasizes the importance of voting as a means for young people to exercise their power and influence issues they care about.

Why do young people have low voting turnout rates?

Young people vote at lower rates due to a combination of factors, including a lack of civics education, difficult registration processes, minimal outreach from campaigns, and societal attitudes that discourage voting.

How has youth involvement historically impacted social change?

Young people have historically led significant social movements, including the Civil Rights Movement and the fight for LGBTQ rights, demonstrating their capability to drive change.

What percentage of eligible 18-24 year olds in California voted in the last state-wide election?

Only 8% of eligible 18-24 year olds in California voted in the last state-wide election.

What are some systemic issues that hinder youth voting?

Systemic issues include inadequate civics education funding, complicated voter registration tied to address changes, lack of candidate outreach to young voters, and cultural norms that undermine the significance of youth voting.

What specific actions can young people take to increase voter engagement?

Young people can register to vote, encourage friends to register, engage in conversations about the importance of voting, and consistently vote in all elections.

What was a notable outcome of young voter mobilization in previous elections?

In the 2008 presidential election, the youth vote played a significant role in electing the first African-American President.

How do politicians typically respond to the youth vote?

Politicians often prioritize the issues of older voters, as they are more likely to vote, leading to younger voters' concerns being underrepresented in political discourse.

What cultural attitudes exist regarding young people and voting?

There are negative attitudes suggesting that young people should wait until they are older or more knowledgeable to vote, which contributes to their disengagement from the political process.

What can be the result of increased youth voter turnout?

Increased youth voter turnout could lead to greater representation of issues that matter to young people, potentially shifting the political landscape and encouraging candidates to address their concerns.