How Youth-Focused Campaigns Are Gathering Young Voters in Kentucky

Despite Low Youth Voter Turnout, Campaigns are Adapting Strategies to Engage Young People

In Kentucky, where youth voter turnout has historically been low, campaigns are adapting their strategies to engage young people. In the 2020 election, only 38.6% of 18-29-year-olds in Kentucky voted, compared to 66.6% of all eligible voters.

According to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE), several factors contribute to low youth voter turnout, including a lack of political knowledge, interest, and efficacy. Additionally, young people often face barriers to voting, such as restrictive voter ID laws and limited access to polling places.

Campaigns Implementing Youth-Focused Strategies

To address these challenges, campaigns in Kentucky are implementing various youth-focused strategies. These strategies include:

• Utilizing social media and digital platforms: Campaigns are using social media, text messaging, and email to reach young voters where they are most likely to engage with political information.
• Partnering with schools and youth organizations: Campaigns are partnering with schools, universities, and youth organizations to reach young people and provide them with voter registration and education.
• Hosting youth-focused events: Campaigns are hosting events specifically tailored to young voters, such as rallies, debates, and voter registration drives.
• Developing youth-specific messaging: Campaigns are developing messaging that resonates with young voters by focusing on issues that are important to them, such as climate change, education, and economic opportunity.

Effectiveness of Youth-Focused Campaigns

The effectiveness of youth-focused campaigns in Kentucky is still being evaluated. However, there is some evidence that these strategies are having a positive impact on youth voter turnout.

For example, a study by CIRCLE found that young people who were exposed to voter registration drives on social media were more likely to register to vote and vote in the 2020 election.

Additionally, a study by the University of Kentucky found that young people who participated in a youth-focused voter registration drive were more likely to vote in the 2018 midterm election.

Conclusion

While youth voter turnout in Kentucky remains low, campaigns are making progress in engaging young people through youth-focused strategies. These strategies include utilizing social media, partnering with schools and youth organizations, hosting youth-focused events, and developing youth-specific messaging.

The effectiveness of these strategies is still being evaluated, but there is some evidence that they are having a positive impact on youth voter turnout. As campaigns continue to adapt their strategies, it is likely that youth voter turnout in Kentucky will continue to increase.