Big Books & Bold Ideas with Kerri Miller

Could 2020 be the year of the young voter?

Voters exit the Ramsey County Elections Plato Building.
Voters exit the Ramsey County Elections Plato Building in St. Paul. Voter turnout among ages 18-29 increased in 2016, but less than half of those eligible to vote in that age bracket cast ballots. Will this year be different?
Lacey Young | MPR News 2018

The only age group in which voter turnout increased between the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections was in ages 18-29. However, the increase was small —1.1 percent — and the share of young people who cast ballots still accounted for less than half of those who were eligible.

Will the interest in this year’s election finally be enough to spur more young voters to weigh in? On Thursday, MPR News host Kerri Miller spoke with two experts about what motivates young voters and what holds them back. 

Guests

  • Kei Kawashima-Ginsberg is the director of the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) at Tufts University.

  • Stella Rouse is the director of The Center for Democracy and Civic Engagement at the University of Maryland.

To listen to the full conversation you can use the audio player above.

Have questions leading up to the Election Day? #AskMPRNews. We want to hear your stories, too. #TellMPRNews what is motivating you to get out and vote this year.

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