Political Participation of 18-24 Year Olds during Elections

Political Participation of 18-24 Year Olds, 2018 and 2020 Election Cycle

Overview of Political Participation

Political participation among young individuals, specifically those aged 18-24, was analyzed during the 2018 midterm elections and the 2020 presidential elections. Various forms of political engagement are represented in the data, highlighting trends and shifts in political activism among youth.

Statistical Data from Bar Graph

The following statistics detail the forms of political participation observed in the youth demographic during the two election cycles:

• 2018 Elections (Midterm):

  • Tried to convince other youth to vote: 8%

  • Donated money to a campaign: 29%

  • Attended a march or demonstration: 16%

  • Registered others to vote: 11%

  • Volunteered for a political campaign: 6%

• 2020 Elections (Presidential):

  • Tried to convince other youth to vote: 33%

  • Donated money to a campaign: 50%

  • Attended a march or demonstration: 25%

  • Registered others to vote: 27%

  • Volunteered for a political campaign: 16%

Source of Data

• CIRCLE/Tisch College, 2020

Analysis of Changes in Political Participation

A. Largest Change in Political Participation

The form of political participation that exhibited the largest change between the 2018 and 2020 elections was donating money to a campaign, which increased from 29% in 2018 to 50% in 2020. This represents a significant rise of 21 percentage points, indicating a marked increase in financial contributions from young voters during the presidential election.

B. Difference in Overall Participation

Overall participation in political activities was markedly higher during the presidential election in 2020 compared to the midterm elections in 2018. The presidential elections generally tend to engage a greater proportion of the electorate, and this is reflected in the increased participation across all recorded activities. For instance:

• Try to convince others to vote: Increased from 8% (2018) to 33% (2020)

• Attending a march or demonstration: Increased from 16% (2018) to 25% (2020)

• Registering others to vote: Increased from 11% (2018) to 27% (2020)

• Volunteering for a political campaign: Increased from 6% (2018) to 16% (2020)
  Such data underlines a trend that presidential elections mobilize youth politically more effectively than midterms.

C. Contribution of Linkage Institutions to Participation

Linkage institutions refer to structures that connect citizens to the political process, such as political parties, interest groups, and the media. The data suggests that the increased participation during the 2020 elections could be linked to a more robust engagement by these institutions.

1. Active campaigning by political parties aimed at youth demographics.

2. Increased media coverage and social media activity encouraging civic engagement and providing information about the voting process.

3. Grassroots organizing efforts that emphasize the impact of youth votes and mobilize them to participate in the electoral process. Consequently, the heightened promotion of engagement through these institutions likely influenced the higher participation rates in the presidential elections.

D. Political Efficacy and Participation Rates

Political efficacy is defined as the belief that one's participation in political processes can lead to desired outcomes or that the individual can have an influence on the political system. The varying levels of participation displayed in the graph may reflect differing perceptions of political efficacy among the 18-24 age group, illustrated as follows:

• The increased participation in actions such as attempting to convince others to vote and financial donations can imply that young individuals feel more empowered and believe that their contributions matter in the decision-making process.

• The differences in levels—an uptick in actions perceived as being directly impactful, like donating money and registering others—show a growing confidence in their ability to effect change, which embodies the essence of political efficacy.

The trends observed in these statistics reveal a significant evolution in the political landscape among young voters and suggest that a multitude of factors, including the effectiveness of linkage institutions and personal beliefs in efficacy, contribute to this shift.