Democratic donors are attempting to lure younger voters to the polls this election season amid growing reports that younger Americans are increasingly dissatisfied with the government — and many not vote in November.
To successfully get this demographic out to cast a vote this year, these donors are offering everything from beer to birth control.
How Younger Voters View the Government
In the past few years, various polls and studies have been conducted on younger generations. These surveys were done to see how many young voters view the president and the government as a whole.
Most recently, a Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics has found that there’s been a massive 60% drop in Americans aged 18 and 29 when asked if they have trust in the president.
Uncomfortable Politics
This study also revealed that many younger Americans feel uncomfortable publicly sharing their political views, as they’re worried that they’ll face repercussions.
This poll has further shown how a large part of younger demographics have struggled to find a voice within the current political system. As a result, many of these Americans haven’t regularly voted in local and national elections.
Democrats Encourage Youth Turnout
Some Democratic donors are trying to change this. Various donors and organizations have banded together to encourage young people to come out and vote this November.
To successfully drive this point home — and encourage a left-leaning vote — these organizations have thrown everything from a free music concert or festival to events that offer free beer.
Targeting Swing States
Many of these organizations are focusing their efforts on so-called swing states. These states, such as Pennsylvania, could swing in either direction in this upcoming election.
Therefore, encouraging younger voters to get out and vote for Democrats is one way these donors are hoping to make swing states turn blue this November.
A Disconnect From Politics
Many polls have shown that younger voters are increasingly disconnected from partisan politics and have grown disenfranchised with the government as a whole.
To encourage younger Americans in these swing states, donors have chosen to target the voters who don’t normally vote. However, if they do vote, they tend to align with Democratic policies and candidates.
Influencing Nonvoters
Dmitri Mehlhorn, a Democratic donor advisor to many billionaires, is just one person who has pushed to influence young voters this fall.
“No one throws more simultaneous parties than we do,” Mehlhorn said. “There are 2.2 million humans in those states under 45 who are just nonvoters, but they do all kinds of other civic stuff.”
A Light Atmosphere
Kevin Mack, the lead strategist for the Voter Project, also talked about encouraging the youth to vote, explaining that they’re already left-leaning to begin with. All they need is a push.
“Turning people out to cultural events is not a hard thing to do. The key thing is to make it fun and keep out the doom and gloom,” Mack explained. “They will take actions automatically. It is not a big push.”
Throwing Free Events and Offering Free Rent
Mack has tried to encourage younger people in swing states by throwing various free events. For example, before a special election in Bucks County this February, Mack threw a concert featuring the band Couch that had free beer and food trucks.
In Philadelphia, Mack recently ran an event at a community center that featured the opportunity to meet with artists, chat with like-minded people — and hold a raffle that gave away one month’s free rent.
Providing Free Birth Control
Mack and Mehlhorn aren’t the only ones offering free goods to encourage younger people to vote blue. The group Vote for Abortion drove around Phoenix this past week to hand out free feminine hygiene products and emergency contraceptives.
These free offerings also helped the group promote an event featuring DJs, an appearance by Busy Philipps, and a Lauren Jauregui concert.
The Legality of Offering Free Goods
Political analysts have pointed out that these Democratic maneuverings are similar to what was seen in the 19th century when entertainment and free whiskey were provided to the voting class.
However, things have changed since the 1800s. Now, many state and federal laws have made it illegal to offer whiskey in exchange for a vote. These laws do not prevent giving away food, goods, or money.
Republican Response
Republicans have blasted these Democrat moves. One of Trump’s key campaign advisers, Chris LaCivita, has claimed that the Democrats can only get young people to vote for them if they offer free alcohol.
“The only way a weak, failed, and corrupt leader’s allies can entice a populace to continue four more years of disastrous policies is to get them liquored up. Biden should stop treating young voters, Black and Hispanic voters like they are stupid,” he stated. “His liberal financiers will stop paying rent bills and throwing block parties the second the election is over — and go back to ignoring their interests as they always have.”
