In the upcoming 2024 election, young voters like 18-year-old Jordan Vassallo from Florida could play a crucial role in determining the outcome. Vassallo, who will be voting for the first time, prioritizes issues such as gun violence prevention, abortion rights, and other social issues. She will be casting her vote for President Joe Biden, despite some reservations, as well as supporting a constitutional ballot amendment in Florida to protect abortion rights. Vassallo is one of over 8 million new voters eligible to vote this November since the 2022 elections, according to Tufts University Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement.
In Florida, young voters’ priorities are varied, with some focusing on issues like gun violence prevention and abortion rights. Recent protests on college campuses regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict have added a level of uncertainty to the mix. Democrats in Florida are hoping that ballot amendments legalizing marijuana and enshrining abortion rights will drive young voters to the polls. They aim to leverage the more tolerant views of young voters on these issues to potentially shift the balance of power in the state, which has seen a registration edge of nearly 900,000 for Republicans in recent years.
Abortion rights are a significant issue for many young voters, with the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade impacting their decisions at the ballot box. However, some, like Nathan Mitchell, president of Florida Atlantic University’s College Republicans, believe that other issues like the recreational marijuana amendment might have more impact on young voters. Despite the importance of abortion rights, Mitchell suggests that recreational marijuana legalization could be a more significant driver of voter turnout among young people in Florida. The sentiment is echoed in an AP VoteCast survey, which found significant support for legalizing marijuana among Florida voters.
Young voters in Florida have shown mixed feelings towards President Biden. While they were crucial to his election in 2020, recent surveys suggest that many young voters are dissatisfied with Biden as the Democratic Party nominee in 2024. Biden’s handling of issues like the Israel-Hamas conflict, student loan forgiveness, and climate change has garnered criticism from young voters. In Florida, concerns about abortion rights and marijuana legalization are expected to have a significant impact on young voters, potentially driving them to the polls in large numbers.
The abortion issue remains important to many young voters, regardless of their political leanings. In a conservative state like Florida, the debate over abortion rights could serve as a mobilizing factor for young voters with varying viewpoints on the issue. While some young voters may favor stricter abortion laws, others are more focused on preserving existing rights. Tony Figueroa, president of Miami Young Republicans, acknowledges the importance of the abortion issue and sees it as a way to galvanize young voters, particularly in a state like Florida, which has become more conservative in recent years.
For young voters like Matheus Xavier, who studies biology at Florida Atlantic University, issues like abortion rights and other social issues are crucial in determining their voting choices. Despite considering voting for Trump at one point, Xavier shifted his support to Biden due to his alignment with his values, including the preservation of abortion rights. As young voters in Florida prepare to head to the polls in November, these issues are likely to play a significant role in shaping their decisions and potentially influencing the outcome of the election.
