Early voting totals in states across the country suggest 2018 might have been the year that young people showed up for a mid-term election.
Surveys show early and absentee voting among those 18 to 24 increased dramatically in states with hotly contested races, including Nevada. In Nevada, young voters cast more than 56,000 ballots early – more than a 400 percent increase from the last midterms.
What caused the shift? Should Jacky Rosen and Steve Sisolak thank young people for their wins to the Senate and governor’s office?
Emily Brzozoswki is an organizer of the Population Connection Action fund's #Fight4HER campaign and helped get out the vote among college students and young voters in Nevada.
“I think it is important to note that young people really made a difference for Jacky Rosen, down the ballot candidates and elections across the country," Brzozoswki said.
Brzozoswki believes young people saw more candidates on the ballot that were younger and that they could relate to.
Her organization specifically looked to find young people concerned about reproduction health and abortion rights and get them out to vote. She said it wasn't difficult to find young people concerned about those issues.
“We saw that young voters really cared about their elected officials caring about providing access to reproductive healthcare,” she said.
Brzozoswki said one of the biggest stumbling blocks for young people is they just don't understand the process. She said her group tried to bridge that knowledge gap with information about where and when to vote.
Those who filled out a pledge to vote form were texted with a message reminding them to vote.
Her group also worked to inform students about candidates and issues.
Brzozoswki doesn't think the enthusiasm to be part of the political process will wane for young people.
"I definitely think that we're going to see astronomical increase in voter turnout, especially in the 2020 elections," she said.
Emily Brzozoswki, state organizer, Population Connection Action fund's #Fight4HER campaign