Democratic rally energizes students before midterms
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHXulSGZDQQ]
The Colorado Democratic party held a get out the vote rally at Farrand Field on Thursday.
Among its star-studded roll of speakers were Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, U.S. representative Jared Polis, and Joe Neguse, who is running for the U.S. House of Representatives.
The aim of this rally was simple: to encourage the younger demographic to get out and vote, and to outline the importance of the voting power of this millenial and generation z audience.
“Let me just tell you, that this election, on November 6th, is the most important midterm election in the modern history of this country.” Bernie Sanders said, in his speech.
And he may be right. Studies conflict on the willingness of young voters to participate in the elections, given historic nonchalance.
According to the PEW Research Center, young voters make up a majority of the electorate, with 135 million people under the age of 53 eligible to vote, contrasted with only 93 million over 53.
The same study states that 59% of adults who are eligible to vote are millenials and generation z.
Unfortunately, this demographic cast a mere 36 million votes in the 2014 midterms. This begs the question: what will happen now?
Newsteam’s natalie wadas went out to the rally and surveyed CU students to get a sense of how enthusiastic these voters are feeling about the midterms.
The answer, overwhelmingly, was one of a sense of duty to participate in the electoral system.
“Of course I’m planning to vote!” CU junior Rowen said. “I feel like it’s very important to vote even for midterms although they aren't as big as a presidential election might be because they do have if not more impact.”
Studies and polls can only guess at how truly this sentiment will ring through to all voters this midterm.
However, the energy at this rally felt different; the willingness of the crowd to be active participants in this country’s democracy seemed heightened.
Those interested in voting may still register, or vote in-person the day of the elections on November 6th, 2018.