As the time between now and Election Day narrows, Democratic Presidential Nominee Hillary Clinton is trying to bring home the votes among the millennial demographic. While Clinton has poll numbers that are significantly higher among young people than her Republican Party opponent, Donald Trump, these statistics don’t compare to the popularity of Barack Obama during his campaigns for President, and they lag far behind former candidate Bernie Sanders’ numbers.
Clinton has been the subject of many a meme since her campaign for the Presidency began, and many of these have been focused on her attempts to be the “cool kid” among younger voters. Millennials present the largest group of individuals of age to vote in the United States, and therefore form a critical bloc of votes for both candidates.
Consequently, Clinton has now begun to target this demographic in a more vigorous manner. In an address to students at Temple University in Philadelphia Monday, she told students, “Even if you are totally opposed to Donald Trump, you may still have some questions about me. I get that. And I want to do my best to answer those questions.” She also told students that “not voting is not an option.”
But what if millennials do vote, just not for a mainstream candidate? Millennials, if they’re not voting Democrat or Republican, seem to be flocking to libertarian candidate Gary Johnson or Green Party candidate Jill Stein, according to The Atlantic. Andrew Baumann, a political pollster and analyst, says, “There is still a danger of Millennials going to Johnson or Stein or staying at home.”
Clinton has an endorsement from President Barack Obama on her side, and a promise that she will work to eliminate student debt—à la millennial favorite Bernie Sanders. She even wrote a piece for Mic, a publication aimed at millennials, specifically addressing our concerns as young people and calling us “the most open, diverse and entrepreneurial generation in our country’s history.” Still, Clinton appears to be struggling to get the votes she needs to ensure a victory over Trump.
In a memo sent out to supporters on Friday, the Democratic National Committee wrote, “Hillary embodies the fights and values that youth care about most: inclusivity and community, equal opportunity and a fair shot.” The memo discussed the same themes Clinton’s been pushing in her other appeals to millennials—ending college debt, fighting for women’s health, protecting the planet and dismantling systemic racism. Clinton may intend to fight for the values that millennials hold, but can she get them to fight for her come November 8?
What are your voting plans? What do you think of the candidates’ campaign strategies with regard to young voters? Let us know!