The new matchup between Trump and Harris is helping Democrats close the enthusiasm gap, in part by capturing the attention and interest of young voters who historically vote at lower rates than older generations. But the historic nature of Harris’ candidacy as the party’s first Black woman and South Asian presidential nominee, coupled with the rapid shift in the campaign’s tone, has young voters of all political stripes taking a hard look — some for the first time — at the role they could play in November.

If motivated, Gen Z voters could have a major impact on elections. Texas’ population has the second youngest median age of any state, other than Utah. And in 2020, there were about 1.3 million Texans ages 18 to 24 who were registered to vote. Those voters have historically turned out to vote at rates lower than any other age range, with voter participation rates increasing steadily as age ranges increase.

About 43% of young Texans aged 18-29 voted in 2020 — an eleven point increase from 2016. 66% of all eligible voters and 76% of eligible voters age 64 and older voted that same year.

  • index@sh.itjust.works
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    5 months ago

    Then came the memes. In July, Caudle’s social media feeds were flooded with clips of Vice President Kamala Harris’ speeches overlaid with synth-pop beats and viral dance sequences. Pop star Charlie XCX declared “kamala is BRAT,” a key endorsement that rang out across her Generation Z fandom. In a nod to a now-viral speech where Harris quoted her mother saying “You think you just fell out of a coconut tree,” coconut emojis rained across TikTok. All of a sudden, the election was fun. Caudle says Harris’ ascendancy to the top of the Democratic ticket jump-started her excitement to cast her first vote this November — and encourage friends and family to get registered, too.

    I’ve been downvoted for pointing out memes that are straight up government propaganda. I hope one day you people can realize how much brainwashed you are and how much the government is fooling you.

    • Xeroxchasechase@lemmy.world
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      5 months ago

      Pointing out that memes are government propaganda is government propaganda one day you’ll realize how much a government is fooling you

    • LainTrain@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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      5 months ago

      Pop star Charlie XCX declared “kamala is BRAT,” a key endorsement that rang out across her Generation Z fandom.

      I legit thought charli xcx died in like 2015. That she is not only alive, has fans and that some of them aren’t 60 year old single men who confuse her with Sasha Grey is absolutely shocking. So anyone care to explain what “BRAT” is?