Early voting by young people this cycle is already up 125 percent over early vote totals from 2014, according to a progressive voter database group called Catalist. The data holds potential for Democrats because voters age 18 to 29 typically skew more progressive than voters over 30, reports the Washington Post. Here’s the early voting totals from Catalist:
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The data counters the conventional wisdom that the youth vote wouldn't figure heavily into 2018 outcomes. “Clearly, they’re going to be, especially if those voting are as Democratic as they survey," said one Democratic strategist. "It’s a big boost for Democrats’ hopes.”
Republican pollster Chris Wilson of WPA Intelligence stopped short of calling the numbers "historic," but admitted young people will account for a larger-than-usual share of the electorate this cycle. “Voters under 25 are outpacing their vote share from both the 2016 and 2014 general," Wilson said. "Proportionately it’s not enough to make a huge difference, but it’s more."
A poll of 18- to 29-year-old voters from the Harvard Institute of Politics (IOP) showed the demographic favored Democratic control of Congress by 34 points, 66-32 percent.
IOP polling director Della Volpe said young voters more than ever are starting to connect politics and who's elected to tangible outcomes in their lives.
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