Florida Democrats have fallen behind Republicans in voter turnout so far this year. But they’re hoping to narrow that gap by amping up their efforts to turn out the vote on college campuses.
FDP Chair Nikki Fried joined Noles for Kamala Harris Tuesday outside Florida State University’s student union.
The assembled group of college students blasted Taylor Swift, Bad Bunny and other musicians that have backed Kamala Harris as students head to and from class. The group’s goal: encourage their classmates to vote early.
Hailey McGee, one of the students who stopped by to talk to the group, is working on her PhD is sociology. She says voting is important.
“I'm just like, very glad to see the encouragement of civic engagement, because, you know, that's how we make our impact locally in the state level and nationally,” she said.
Michaela Galligan, treasurer for FSU College Democrats, says they will keep tabling until election day.
“Gen Z's vote is going to be extremely crucial in this 2024 election, and college students make up a good portion of that. And so ensuring that we are engaging and voting this year is really crucial,” she said.
Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried joined the group for about 30 minutes to speak with the students and the media. She said it is important that young voters see her party trying to win their vote.
“It is important for this generation and for on college campus to see the Democrats are fighting back, that we truly represent and are listening to their needs and making sure that we're passing the baton to the next generation,” she said.
Youth turnout at FSU and FAMU voting sites is currently around 10 percent. While young people tend to lean Democrat, it will take more than courting the youth vote for the party to close in on the Republican Party’s nearly 600 thousand voter lead in Florida.