Voter turnout low amongst young people nationally and in Washington

SPOKANE, Wash. — Despite candidates turning to social media and podcasts to engage young voters, voter registration and turnout amongst young people is still notably low, both nationally and in the state of Washington.

According to the WA Secretary of States Office, just over 9% of registered voters in Washington are ages 18-24. The number jumps to 16% for ages 25-34. Both demographics are relatively low compared to 26% who are 65 and older.

The stats were similarly low for your voters in both Washington and Idaho for the 2020 election.

In 2020, 72% of WA voters in the Presidential Election were between 18-24 and 75% were ages 25-34. The number continues to increase as people get older.

In Idaho in 2020, 27% of registered voters were over 65, whereas only 24.5% were between the ages of 18-34.

Nationally, 57% of citizens ages 18-34 voted in 2020. That number increases to 74% for citizens ages 65 and over.

To encourage young people to get out and vote, The Granny Caravan, a non-partisan group, visited Spokane Community College on Wednesday to help college students register to vote.

Some students at SCC said it some young people don’t see the point in voting.

“A lot of them just believe that it’s just a corrupt system. It’s just like…my vote doesn’t matter. Why do I vote if I don’t see the impact of it,” said 27-year-old Tala Gifford.

20-year-old Anabelle Alexandre said young people should remember that there is power in numbers.

“I think a lot of people think that their one vote won’t really matter, but if we are banding together and we all do that one little thing – just voting – then more people will start to see more change, if we actually fight for things we want and vote for what we want,” she said.

Some students said they believe this is a particularly important year to vote, especially with certain issues in mind.

“How are they going to help the homeless situation? Because, the number of people becoming homeless is bigger every year,” said 18-year-old Elisa Wilbur.

28-year-old Mimireen Meipel said she hopes candidates will listen to voters.

“Just being heard by the people we are voting for [is important], and also, things like climate change and things that are affecting our country and our planet,” she said.