UNCW students offer perspective on youth voter turnout

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A UNCW class is giving students an inside look at political campaigns, from candidates and fundraising to the strategies that can shape an election. But as students study the political process, they are also examining a question closer to home: Why aren’t more young people voting?

“We’ve studied fundraising, we’ve studied polls,” said sophomore Ben Childress, who is enrolled in UNCW’s Campaign Management and Strategies course.

The class gives students a behind-the-scenes look at the political landscape, including local and national campaigns, candidates and the issues shaping elections.

“We study the local and national political environment as well as the ongoing campaign issues and candidates,” said Childress.

As students follow the races, they are also seeing a gap in participation between younger voters and older generations. According to a national poll of early voters, just 9% were between the ages of 18 and 29.

Childress said several factors may contribute to younger people’s disconnect from the political process, including a feeling that their voices carry less weight than those of older voters.

“Sometimes young people don’t feel like they have an influence, necessarily, that’s strong enough to counterbalance an older generation, and so they feel like that no one listens to them,” said Childress.

Senior classmate Jackson Rabon said he believes younger generations often feel that older leaders do not understand their concerns.

“They don’t really focus on our needs, really about our futures, what our main concern is right now,” said Rabon.

For many young voters, those concerns are tied to everyday expenses and the cost of living.

“I commute to school every day, so I mean gas is the number one priority for me right now, cost of living in general, the grocery store is just, I mean, it’s completely outrageous at some times,” said Rabon.

Both Childress and Rabon, who each voted early, said voting is one way young people can make their voices heard and influence the policies that affect their lives.

“My mom always told me growing up that if we don’t vote, we can’t complain, and so the people that don’t vote, they don’t get an input on what happens with government policy,” said Childress.

Rabon said the current political climate makes participation especially important.

“I think it’s pretty precedent right now with what’s been going on in the last, you know, 10 years. If you really want something to change, you just have to go out and show your support,” said Rabon.

Through the course, students are not only learning how campaigns work but also considering the role their own generation can play in shaping the political future.