News

Millennial Voter Registrations Are Record-Breaking

by Natasha Guzmán

Millennials are proving the "young people don't vote" stereotype wrong this election. A poll conducted by Rock the Vote and USA Today found that a record-breaking 83 percent of millennials are registered to vote — roughly 69 million people across the country. This gives the youth vote a real chance to be one of this election's most decisive factors, similar to what we saw in 2008 and 2012. In order to do this, keeping up the enthusiasm to get out and cast their votes on Election Day is vital.

But the poll's findings show a decreasing sense of excitement in this demographic about the prospect of voting. Agreement with statements "There are better ways to make a difference than voting" and "My vote doesn't really matter" rose to 55 and 62 percent, respectively, from 37 and 46 percent in January.

Behind the lessening energy is the lack of good feelings about their two main options for president. Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are the least-popular presidential candidates in American history, and that's reflected among millennials. Back in March, when Bernie Sanders was still in the race for the Democratic nomination, another poll by USA Today documented a peak in young voters' eagerness to play a part in this election. Disappointment about his eventual loss in the primaries contributed to a lack of excitement about voting.

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Regardless of this, the majority of millennials are still planning on casting a vote in November, and eight in ten refer to voting as a "responsibility," according to the poll.

As far as who will claim the youth vote, Clinton pretty much has it in the bag already. She has managed to bring most Sanders supporters to her side — roughly eight in ten have decided to back her — and leads with 68 percent of likely Millennial voters saying they support her. This is in stark contrast with Trump's 20 percent. It's worth noting, however, that 36 percent of those saying they'll vote for the Democratic nominee say that blocking Trump, and not a good view of Clinton, is the main reason behind their decision.

But despite the lack of satisfaction with their options, it's looking like Millennials will have a big turnout on Nov. 8. And since Generation Y truly is the future of America, it's only fitting that this group take charge of deciding who will reach the White House as the country's leader.