Younger voters making their voices heard in the 2024 election

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The general election is just under a week away and Hoosier voters have been busy casting their ballots, and this election year, many are under 30 years old.

Many young Saint Joseph County voters said they believe social media has made a large impact among their generation when it comes to voting, like Norte Dame student and early voter, Ben Martin.

“…with the rise of Tik Tok, you know Instagram reels, I think it’s really easy to disperse information in a way that’s very democratic by nature, to access as many people as possible,” said Martin.

Information about the 2024 election is everywhere, from campaign videos to resultant information on where and how to vote. Early voter and Notre Dame grad student, Nick McGowan, says he’s noticed both parties encouraging younger voters online, and thinks it may contribute to a higher percentage of voters under 30 in the 2024 election.

“They’ve really done a really good job I think of promoting that we need youth voters, we need a younger demographic and other than just having fun with it too, I mean it’s a real thing, so it’s going to make a big difference in this election,” said McGowan.

Another reason younger voters, like Libby Eggemeier, say they’re making sure to cast their ballot in this election is because they know the impact it will hold as they transition into adulthood.

“So, things like inflation we care about, we care about the border, we care about democracy, we care about reproductive freedom, and so it feels like now these things are actually effecting our lives and we’re becoming adults in a really exciting time with the election,” explained Eggemeier.

Ben Martin also said he believes the younger generation are the ones who will shape the future.

“I think this is, like I said, one of the first elections where we have a huge ability to make an impact on it, because I think it’s just us kind of speaking up for ourselves and understanding that if there is a future that’s going to beneficial to all, we have to be the ones that push it forward,” said Martin.