It doesn’t take a lot for Millennials to get excited. But some ideas, brands and events engage Millennials beyond the norm. Which is why I wasn’t surprised when I got an email from Nancy Hollenback asking me about Millennials turnout for elections.
1. We want to be a part of something bigger- Millennials only have so much time to accomplish all of their goals, and sometimes that means brushing off some things that don’t help us meet those goals. Millennials want to be a part of something that really really matters. The presidential election really matters. The Houston Mayor election, not so much.
2. We don’t associate our personalities with a location yet- A lot of Millennials have been moving around for a few years. We went to college out-of-state, we moved across the country for a job and many Millennials don’t live in the same city where they grew up. And when you don’t live somewhere for a long time it is hard to associate yourself with that place. It’s hard for Millennials to care enough to vote when they don’t really feel like they a city is their home.
3. Millennials are really busy- Millennials are in college, starting their jobs or building their careers. And if we are going to take time out of our day to do something it needs to be really really important. Millennials are busy, and we need to know that if we stop our day to vote that we are making a big difference. Millennials clearly didn’t think that voting in the Houston election would make a difference.
Tell me what you think! What does it take to get Millennials excited? Why are Millennials engaged for some elections and not for others?
(If you ever have a topic that you would like to see me write about, drop me a line at chelseablakesunshine (at) gmail (dot) com or DM me @blakesunshine. Thanks for the inspiration for this post Nancy!)
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Blake – thanks for posting your thoughts? I completely concur with #2. It’s easy to help in small ways in one’s local community, knowing full well that many potential moves are on the horizon. Making a longer term investment in a city that is not yet “home” is a little dicier.
However, as suburban Mom, I see the other side and have many friends who are just as busy as the Millennials, if not more so. (point #3)
I also wonder if Millenials are not just riding the wave of excitement. Consider the impact of one vote in a national election. Compare that to the impact one can have at the local caucus level. Once the Millennial finds “home” will she invest at that local level and work with other talented Millennials? Or will the excitement of the next big “thing” prevent the tenacity required for building strong local political organizations? Hard work at the local level, may not be as glamorous. (point #1)
Thanks again for your thoughts and look forward to continuing the conversation.
(credit for the idea actually goes to twitter friends @jbkdogmeat & @AlexanderF)
I very much agree with your analysis here. I think another problem that comes into play is that most local elections are very under the radar. As you said, we’re not really settled into our locations yet–and even if some are I think they likely aren’t expecting to be there for long–so I doubt many of us millennials are regularly consuming much local media. Further, a few years back my roommate wanted to vote absentee in Pennsylvania, and forget about how hard it was to find what district and ward he was in, but getting the paperwork to fill out, heck even finding the right website was nearly impossible. In national elections there is constant messaging and easily accessible information available to voters. In local elections it can seem impossible just to register.
Good points! As I present to young people about politics and civic engagement, I find that they want to be and are willing to be involved if they see it is relevant for them and believe their participation will make a difference. They do not want to be part of the far right/far left argument, they want to be pragmatic and get something done. I believe they were so optimistic about President Obama’s campaign because he was the first poititician since JFK to tell them they must be involved and “yes we can” make a difference. I also believe they are becoming disillusioned because there does not seem to be a big change yet – Republicans seem to be more anti democrat than anything else and the Democrats seem to be almost as unwilling to talk with the right as the right was unwilling to talk to the left under President Bush.
Millenials are out there and are aware they can make a difference but they need to be courted to expect their support.
Which begs the question, why don’t Millenials consume local media? (I don’t right now either and that is not good). Additionally the election of a mayor of a major US city is hardly “under the radar.” Or at least it should not be. Moreover if someone can’t figure out how to register, perhaps that person should not be voting. A quick call to DNC/RNC local office should have resolved the issue.
We need strong leaders from the Millenials. Getting involved in the “non-exciting” work at a local level is a good place to sharpen one’s skills.