In the months leading up to Election Day, Georgia youth political organizations on both sides of the aisle have been working to engage with the electorate and to get out the vote. The Young Democrats of America and the Young Republican National Federation both have chapters across the nation with the goal of mobilizing young people to engage in politics.
Davante Jennings, President of the Young Democrats of Georgia, and Winslow Jones, President of the Atlanta Young Republicans, spoke with the Technique about their outreach efforts as leaders of partisan youth political organizations.
“We are a stepping stone to get introduced to the political process,” said Jones, “and train, you know, future leaders of the GOP.”
The members of Young Democrats of America, aged 18 to 36, and the Young Republican National Federation, aged 18 to 40, are part of a key voting bloc this election cycle. The youth vote is crucial to campaigns up and down the ballot, with 41 million members of Gen Z eligible to vote on election day, according to Tuft University’s Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE). CIRCLE estimates that in 2020, voters aged 18 to 29 had a 50% turnout rate, comprising 17% of votes in that election cycle.
Part of the battle these youth groups fight is getting in touch with people and encouraging them to get involved with the political process through voting, volunteering or just having a discussion.
“Getting young people involved with doing it [voter contact], it is easier doing text banking,” said Jennings. I have actually seen people have conversations via text.”
Making connections is a priority for both the Atlanta Young Republicans and the Young Democrats of Georgia.
“I love being in the community with people,” said Jennings. “You get to really see what is going on with somebody and hear someone else’s perspective.”
“Whether it is an election year or a non-election year, [it is about] getting people excited about getting out and meeting people and building a network of friends,” said Jones.
Central to both organizations is hosting events and efforts to support candidates from their respective parties running for election. In the last few months, the Atlanta Young Republicans have gone doorknocking on behalf of Senator Shawn Still, Representative Scott Hilton, Representative Deb Silcox and other candidates at the district and county level. On Sept. 17th, they hosted a mixer to write mailers supporting Silcox and Dr. Sam Brown Parks.
“We just sat down and wrote — actually hand wrote — postcards for a few different house candidates,” said Jones.
But, for Jones’ Republicans, the organization is just as social as it is political.
“It [our mission] is planning fun events to get people out and just networking and making friends,” said Jones, “Only about 10 to 15% of our members actually want to participate and work and get out the vote.”
The Young Democrats of Georgia have hosted events on behalf of candidates including Representative Sam Park, Representative Ruwa Romman and candidate Michelle Kang in the last month. They have also hosted politicians and advocates from out-of-state, including Representative Maxwell Frost and Representative Ro Khanna.
For the Young Democrats of Georgia, political activism and education are at the forefront of their mission.
“My job isn’t to change your mind,” said Jennings. “Let me just load you up with some information to help you make an informed decision.”
While both organizations work the most with down-ballot candidates, the top-of-the-ticket races remain a concern for both groups.
“I’ll be honest in saying that across the board that there are mixed feelings about Trump, but there [are] also mixed feelings about Kamala,” said Jones. “I know there are Democrats that think there should have been a better pick than her..”
“That man [Donald Trump] is more than dangerous,” said Jennings. “Now he has had time to get kicked around, he’s like, out for blood and I think that is a dangerous person.”
There are several key issues weighing on voters’ minds this election. According to Pew Research Center, eight in ten registered voters say the economy will be very important to their vote in the 2024 presidential election with 93% and 68% of Republican and Democratic voters, respectively, citing it as a top issue.
But not all issues transcend party lines. 82% of Republican voters say immigration is very important to their vote compared to 39% of Democratic voters.
“Presidential policies can also affect people locally too,” said Jones. “Laken Riley getting murdered by an illegal immigrant — I mean that is a direct cost of border policy.”
Abortion is a very important issue to 67% of Democratic supporters and 25% of Republican voters, according to the same study.
“They [Republicans] are just too smart and sneaky for me to believe that rolling back reproductive rights is enough for them,” said Jennings.
However, both Jennings and Jones remain hopeful for the future of their respective parties and candidates.
“In general, I am optimistic for Georgia in terms of the Republican Party,” said Jones. “There are those few house races that I am not so sure [about] just yet until Election Day.”
“I really do truly believe if we get VP Harris elected, things will go for the better,” said Jennings. “you see the energy and how many people are behind this person and excited for it.”