By MAX LAROCCO
When most people hear the term “millennials,” the popular image is that of a young social media user who cares little about much else. But voting statistics show millennials will be a factor in the presidential election.
Young people interviewed consider politics to be important. They care about issues such as women’s rights, climate change, refugees, the job market, education, health care, gay, lesbian and transgender issues, the shrinking middle class, foreign policy, to name a few.
“I know that I’ve never been as interested in the candidates, and I feel like it’s that way for a lot of people.” said Tara Kennette, 22, of Robbinsville, New Jersey.
“Millennials” refer to those born between 1981 and 2000, those currently under the age of 35. There are 88 million in the United States, according to Bloomberg, and 3 out of 10 voting age Americans are millennials, larger than any other voting block.
In the 2012 election, 45 percent of people between 18-29 cast a vote to name the next president, dropping 6 percent since 2008, according to the Tufts Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement. However, the website also states only 11 percent of the same age group (of Iowans that is) cast a vote at the Iowa caucus on Monday night, which represented 15 percent of total voters. Of those voters, 84 percent voted for Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders, indicating a clear interest in him among millennials.
However, many young voters will be making efforts to hit the voting booths this November in hopes they can elect someone who will stand up for their interests.
“I think it’s going to be critical,” said Thomas Chupela, 22, of Edison, N.J., when asked about the upcoming election. He admitted that he did not vote in 2012 because he was not able to obtain an absentee ballet in time and did not feel like driving to his registered polling location that day.
“Now that we’re older, we have to worry about jobs and stuff, ” Chupela added. He declined to disclose his preferred candidate.
What seems to be concerning a lot of young voters is the selection of front-running candidates. Although some voters are unsure of just how great their options are, they seem ready to choose one anyway.
“[Donald] Trump is insane, but he has solid plans.” said Jayce Lombardi, 23. “I truly believe his ideas will save this country with the sacrifice of many, which is necessary in certain cases.”
Meanwhile, Tara Kennette, expressed a bit of doubt about Democratic nominee Bernie Sanders: “He’s not perfect and I think some of his ideas are asking for a lot […] but overall I support him strongly.”
Although not everyone in this age range is as politically informed as some, young people will absolutely play a key role in this election season.
“No matter who I wind up voting for, it is going to be a compromise.” said Emily Itskovich, 22, of Woodcliff Lake, N.J. “The biggest problem is that both parties have been completely polarized and there are no true moderates.”
What caused millennials to have such a sudden interest in politics? Is it just the upcoming presidential election or is there another reason why millennials have such a huge interest in politics.