Young people speak out on issues that will motivate them to vote

A 19-year-old first-time voter on Long Island, part of the Gen Z population, is heading to the polls Tuesday with women's reproductive rights and other issues on her mind. Pollsters say young people like her could vote at record levels — yet a Long Island poll shows older voters are likely to go to the polls in greater numbers.

Climate change, abortion rights, gun safety and student loan debt reduction are issues that matter to many young people, said Simon Rosenberg, president of NDN, a liberal think tank and advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C.

"These are all things which would lead one to believe young people may vote higher than we expected because issues that they care about and affect them have been front and center in American politics for the last six months," he said in an interview.

A national poll released Oct. 27 by the Institute of Politics at Harvard University, which polled 2,123 18- to 29-year-olds, indicates that 40% of them say they will "definitely vote" Tuesday, with pollsters putting them "on track to match or potentially exceed the record-breaking 2018 youth turnout in a midterm election."

The poll was conducted in English and Spanish between Sept. 29 and Oct. 14 and had a plus or minus 2.91% margin of error.

Gen Z is the 10- to 25-year-old age group and Millennials are in the 26-to-41 age range.

Yet, according to a poll of nearly 3,000 Long Islanders by nextLI/Newsday and Hofstra University, the percentages of younger voters who say they are very likely or somewhat likely to vote in the midterms are lower than that of other age groups.

"Current polling of Long Islanders suggest 18- to 34-year-olds are not going to come to the polls in the same proportion as people in other age groups. And in a year where a lot of races are closer than anticipated, their participation, or lack of it, can be decisive," said Lawrence Levy, executive dean of Hofstra's National Center for Suburban Studies.

The next/LI Newsday and Hofstra poll shows that 70.8% of 18- to 24-year-olds are "very likely" or "somewhat likely" to vote in the New York governor's race. Among 25- to 34-year-olds, the percentage rose to 87.2% and was even higher for other age groups, peaking at 97.4% for 55- to 64-year-olds.

The poll also shows differences by race and ethnicity, said Christopher Niedt, the suburban center's academic director.

"I would say that what we do see is that more white voters on Long Island are likely to vote than Hispanic, Asian, and non-Hispanic Black voters," Niedt said.

Among the Gen Z group, "If you combine very likely and somewhat likely [to vote for governor of New York]," he said for non-Hispanic white, it was 62.6%, compared with non-Hispanic Black at 39%; non-Hispanic Asian, 50%; and Hispanic, at 49.5%.

The nextLI/Newsday Hofstra poll shows higher percentages among Millennials. A breakdown by race and ethnicity shows non-Hispanic white people who are very likely or somewhat likely to vote in the race for New York governor was 82.4%; non-Hispanic Black people, 66.8%; non-Hispanic Asian people, 63.4%; and Hispanic people, 72.3%.

Newsday talked to several members of Gen Z and Millennials about what is motivating them to vote.

Andrew Ayodeji, North Amityville

Ayodeji uses one word to describe voting and its impact: "Crucial."

'It’s very crucial in our neighborhoods. These local elections are very important.'

-Andrew Ayodeji, 34, of North Amityville

Credit: Morgan Campbell

"It’s very crucial in our neighborhoods. These local elections are very important. People think about the presidency when we talk about voting," Ayodeji said. But "we need to change the narrative" and focus on local elections as well, he said, because of the impact those local-elected officials have on people's everyday lives. More people need to understand "the significance of the situation," he added.

Ayodeji, 34, is an entrepreneur with a clothing store, a summer athletic league, and is also a founding partner of Minority Millennials, a nonprofit formed in 2017 to help young people of color "access jobs, build wealth and become civically engaged," according to the group's website. He also works for the Town of Babylon's Youth Institute.

Ayodeji said he often intersperses civic engagement activities, such as voting, with athletics. 

At his summer league, for instance, he said, "We have voter registration drives there. Minority Millennials usually set up in the park. Sometimes we have elected officials speak to the audience. … Basketball is the bait. It’s entertainment."

Ayodeji added: "With basketball, you can bridge the gap with many generations. You can give them information, whether they are Gen Z, Millennials or Baby Boomers. I think it’s essential to getting that information out there."

Leah Jackson, Rocky Point

Jackson is a 28-year-old attorney practicing criminal law and civil rights. "As a minority Millennial, affordable housing, student loans, health care, economic inclusion, redistricting, the environment [and] inflation" are important to her. 

"As an attorney," she listed "police accountability, crime bail reform" as "major for me." There is also the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling striking down Roe v. Wade, which had provided a constitutional right to abortion. 

'A lot of people only vote in presidential elections. They don’t realize how much local politics affect their daily life.'

-Leah Jackson, 28, Rocky Point

Credit: Rick Kopstein

Jackson also wants to see restrictions on citizens' ability to access military-style assault weapons. "I don’t believe any civilian should have a high-powered weapon. There’s no justification for that. I have siblings still in junior high and middle school," she said, alluding to the many instances of school shootings involving perpetrators with assault rifles killing children and teachers. "And it’s terrifying."

Jackson said she grew up in a household where the impact a person could make through voting was highlighted.

"Since I became of age, I’ve always been interested in politics," she said. "I think it came from my interest in wanting to be a lawyer." Besides that, she said her mother was an influence. "Definitely, my mom — she’s one of those people who watches the news and always knows what’s going on in the world, and stressed the importance of voting."

As she looks to others in her age group, as well as those in the larger society, Jackson offered these insights. 

"In what I’ve seen and talking to people, especially in my age group, a lot of people only vote in presidential elections. They don’t realize how much local politics affect their daily life," she said. "They don’t realize that this is what is going to change everything they do on a daily basis. I think a lot of people, beyond Gen Z and Millennials, aren’t privy to that. They don’t think their votes count, or it’s not going to affect them in their daily life. And that’s not true at all.

"If you want to see change, it has to come from the bottom, and the local elections. It matters who we put in charge of our towns, in charge of our cities," and in Congress, she added. "These are people that are going to make decisions for us."

John J. Byrne, Island Park

Byrne, 22, a Hofstra law student, said he has been volunteering with local Republicans for about five years.

He said he was motivated to get involved in politics, from the village board to Congress, to help elect conservatives to address issues like inflation and bail reform.

'What's on the ballot are these candidates and principles and issues to keep people safe.'

-John J. Byrne, 22, of Island Park

Credit: Morgan Campbell

"I find it's very important to support smaller government and less taxes and spending, and to keep you safe. It's the party of law and order. Young people don't feel safe," said Byrne, a committeeman volunteering for the Island Park, Lido and Point Lookout Republican Club who has been making calls and knocking on doors for a congressional candidate.

He said there are more young conservatives in college who may be afraid to speak up in a liberal atmosphere.

"It's always important to vote, and young people go to college with a fixed income," Byrne said, noting that "rising prices and limited income is tough."

He said he wants young voters to realize the consequences of elections, and to get college students involved in elections to support candidates and policies that will directly affect their lives.

"I think messaging and branding have to meet people where they're at," on social media platforms and at virtual events, Byrne said. 

"What's on the ballot are these candidates and principles and issues to keep people safe," he said. 

Jeff Guillot, Babylon

Guillot, 40, a partner in Millennial Strategies, a political consulting and government affairs firm, said that as a Democrat, he is concerned that "the activist right is using crime and criminal justice reform as a boogeyman and using fear to motivate their base of voters. This election has very much become about crime and the economy. If last year is any sort of predictor of this year, that means it’s going to be a tough night for Democrats."

'For younger people, a woman’s right to choose is 100% on the ballot ... If you care about that, you need to come out and participate.'

-Jeff Guillot, 40, of Babylon

Credit:  Newsday/Alejandra Villa Loarca

Guillot laid out what he thinks is on the line come Election Day.

"I’m someone who believes that we should codify Roe v. Wade into federal law," he said. "I believe that we should continue to improve the way we conduct elections. I believe we should codify gay marriage into federal law. I believe in a robust investment in jobs and infrastructure."

Guillot hoped that young adult voters will make their voices heard in the election by voting in great numbers.

"For younger people, a woman’s right to choose is 100% on the ballot. … If you care about that, you need to come out and participate. If you believe in social progress of any kind, we need you out and voting."

Evelyn Martinez, Hempstead

Martinez, 19, a second-year student at Nassau Community College majoring in computer science, plans to vote on Tuesday — for the first time.

The issues she's concerned about include women's reproductive rights and birth control, which she feels are under threat, as well as policies affecting immigrants, and more education funding.

'I have to take charge in what I believe my government should be. It’s my future.'

-Evelyn Martinez, 19, of Hempstead

Credit: Howard Simmons

"I think the resources distributed to lower-income school districts should be raised or at least given more attention, and for state schools as well," Martinez said. "I think my college might not be getting enough funding. But I'm also talking in terms of high school. I come from Hempstead."

She said in "my time there, there was a lack of resources and programs" at Hempstead High School. "You could see the large difference between Garden City and Hempstead." The villages abut each other, but Garden City is more affluent than Hempstead, a district that serves a largely minority student population.

There was a time, Martinez said, when she doubted how impactful voting could be. But no longer. She said some friends "don’t believe voting does anything, so they won’t be voting." But she tries to convince them otherwise.

She credits a friend and fellow student studying political science who changed her mindset about voting.

"She told me just one vote could change a lot. So she basically convinced me to take politics more serious," Martinez said. "She said the older generations are voting … and I have to take charge in what I believe my government should be. It’s my future."

With John Asbury

By Olivia Winslow

olivia.winslow@newsday.com@newsollie