With the local election right around the corner, young voters have much to share about their plans and perhaps more importantly their concerns regarding getting involved. The perspectives of six newly-minted 18-year-olds from small towns across the state illustrate the enormous gap that remains between this impressionable demographic and an increasingly imperceptible electoral process.
Rebecca Gill, 18, from St Austell told Lib Dem Voice that she felt unprepared and poorly informed to make a decision. She said, “I’m in an age group where I should be really getting into doing research. Politics really isn’t that appealing to me.” Her frustration is emblematic of a larger trend among young voters who are confused by the sheer volume of available information.
Likewise, Harley Harris of Okehampton shared how he did not feel inspired to vote. He confided, “I really haven’t given it that much thought,” already reflecting a sad but common disinterest with the leaders of his ilk. Harris pointed out the major role that social media plays in his political engagement. As Kasper put it, “It would be awesome if social media could do a really effective job of driving the message to vote.”
Jack Newton, another of the 18-year-old Ivybridge voters, admitted to being less ‘informed’ about local elections in comparison to general ones. And he seemed determined to do his homework on candidates, saying, “I guess I will research and figure out who’s who.” Unlike many of his peers, Newton’s was not a reactive approach, but a proactive one.
In Torrington, Sam Bowles acknowledged that he was still on the fence up until the days leading up to election day. His uncertainty reflects a common dilemma among young voters. They wrestle with the burden of local concern that doesn’t quite hit the same chords as hot button national issues.
The third issue that Gill highlighted was lack of relatable voices in politics. She just lamented that there aren’t more people from her generation standing up in government and on the political stage. Imagine if their voices could be amplified! That’s indicative of a huge under-representation that likely turns off young voters from being active participants in the electoral process.
The impact of social media on political consciousness also became one of the overwhelming themes in these conversations. One young voter emphasized how platforms curate political content based on user preferences: “Social media definitely has an impact. The algorithm looks at what you like and prescribes the best political party to you.”
