Young Michigan Voters Propel Gretchen Whitmer, Jocelyn Benson, Michigan Prop 3 to Victory

NextGen PAC mobilized thousands of young voters to elect progressive candidates

Detroit, MI — Today, NextGen PAC is celebrating the youth-driven victory of Gretchen Whitmer for Governor, Jocelyn Benson for Secretary of State, Dana Nessel for Attorney General, and Hillary Scholten, Elissa Slotkin, and Dan Kildee for U.S. House. NextGen PAC is also celebrating the passage of Michigan’s Promote the Vote Initiative, Proposal 2 and Michigan Right to Reproductive Freedom Initiative, Proposal 3. These statewide victories for progressives delivered a governing ‘trifecta,’ with majorities in both the state House and Senate chambers and a Democratic Governor. A Democratic-controlled legislature with a Democratic governor hasn’t happened in 38 years, and it’s clear that young Michigan voters delivered this historic win for progressives.

Ahead of the November election, NextGen PAC leveraged its grassroots organizing infrastructure in Michigan and mobilized thousands of young voters to defeat Republican challengers like Tudor Dixon, Kristina Karamoand, and Matthew DePerno. It is clear that without the support of young voters, Democrats would have experienced severe losses in Michigan. NextGen PAC’s program was the largest nationwide youth voting initiative to mobilize this critical voting bloc.

Young people fought tirelessly to power Whitmer to victory. Throughout the tight race, young voters stepped up to hold Republican candidate Tudor Dixon accountable for her dangerous position on abortion rights, economic and climate justice, LGBTQ equality, and immigrant rights. Moving forward, it’s evident that young Michiganders will continue to fight against extremist MAGA Republicans and demand an inclusive vision of the future. Our youth movement delivered this historic victory.

“Young people in Michigan showed up for progressive candidates and issues up and down ballot this election,” NextGen PAC President and Executive Director Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez said. “Governor Whitmer is a fierce advocate for Michiganders’ civil liberties, and the state’s young people voted her to victory because of it. Leading up to election day, NextGen connected with thousands of voters across the state to make sure they were registered and had a plan to show up to fight for the issues they care about. From abortion rights to voting rights, young people’s message is clear – extremist Republicans and their values do not represent our vision for the future. ”

Early reporting from the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) shows that young voters supported Governor Gretchen Whitmer by 62% to propel her to victory over challenger and MAGA Republican Tudor Dixon. Young voters rejected the agenda of extremist Republican Tudor Dixon, choosing instead to elect a proven leader who will fight for progressive values and advocate for the rights of all. It is clear that young Michigan voters turned out and are changing the state’s political landscape and electorate. Without the support of young voters, Democrats would not be seeing a Democrat sweep across the state of Michigan.

Nationally Youth Are the Only Age Group to Prefer Democrats

Youth are the only age group to prefer Democrats for House races. Edison Research National Election Pool exit polls show that young people are overwhelmingly progressive, and they show up for candidates who inspire them and share their values.

According to the Edison Research National Election Pool exit poll, the national youth vote choice for the U.S. House of Representatives was 63% for Democrats, 35% for Republicans. That’s almost identical to 2020, when youth preferred Democrats to Republicans by 62% to 36%. Youth ages 18-29 are the only age group to favor Democrats in this election. Voters ages 30-44 split their votes 49%-49% between Democrats and Republicans, while older voters favored the GOP.

Specifically, young voters of color showed up for Democrats. In all, 89% of Black youth and 68% of Latino youth voted for a Democratic House candidate. Among white youth, the vote was 58% for Democrats and 40% for Republicans.

Young voters ages 18-29 also prefer Democrats in Senate and Governor races. Based on data from states where exit polls were conducted, the youth vote choice and youth share of the vote also overwhelmingly broke for progressives. This surge in support for progressives is across NextGen PAC’s key battleground states, including Arizona, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

Young Michiganders are stepping up to the plate to build the future that they can be proud of – one in which their elected leaders fight for a future that reflects and represents them. They know that voting is their power, and they seized the opportunity to channel it into change. NextGen is proud to have helped build a movement of young people that refuses to stand by as basic human rights, equality, and justice for all are deprioritized.

###

About NextGen PAC

NextGen PAC’s mission is to empower young voters to engage in elections and ensure our government is responsive to the largest and most diverse generation in American history. We invite 18-to-35 year olds into our democracy to ensure our government works for them and to find new solutions to the dire challenges facing our country. NextGen PAC fights for a progressive future by growing and wielding the grassroots political power of young people on the ground and online.