Near record-high numbers of young people voted during the midterms, signaling a possible shift – or exception – in voting trends
EDITOR’S NOTE: Brooklyn had the highest voter turnout in the nation– the borough has been a hotbed for organized politics for hundreds of years, and it’s no surprise that much of the Congressional Democratic leadership hails from Brooklyn and New York State. In 2021, state records show 5,586,318 voters registered in New York City, yet the population is over 8.4 million. Efforts to register voters can propel the city to achieve a higher majority of residents. Youth turnout, as described by experts, is attributable to a confluence of issues: the environment and gun crime, perceived threats to democratic institutions, etc. Mobilizing young voters in NYC is kingpin to having a more democratic city government.
The November 2022 midterms have come and gone, but there are still some potential lasting implications that could influence the next election season.
One is that young people, aged 18 to 29, had one of the highest voter turnouts in a midterm election in recent history, according to our early analysis.