Motivating Millenials to Vote

According to a March 7, 2004 article in USA Today, since 1972, when the voting age was dropped to 18, young people have been increasingly disinterested in casting a ballot for president.  Turnout hit an all-time low in 2000 when an estimated 42% of voters 18 to 24-years-old went to the polls.  That compares with 70% of adults 25 and older who voted that year, according to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, based at the University of Maryland. 

Now the study, which was based on surveys, included a profile of what researchers called “Generation dot net” which was respondents ages 15 to 25.  They found that the younger generation was indeed politically disengaged. 

• Only 24% of dot net said that they followed government and public affairs very often, compared with 60% of elderly voters, 50% of baby boomers and 37% of Gen Xers. 
• Researchers also found the youngest group were the most distrustful with 70% agreeing with the statement that most people will take advantage of you. 

On this week’s Insight on Coaching show, I asked if some generations were more inclined to vote than others.  While our guests pointed out that voting numbers tended to be higher within the Baby Boomer generation, our panel’s point of view differed from the USA Today article.

In addition to discussing the role Baby Boomers can play in engaging younger workers in the workplace, Donna Karlin pointed out that many Millenials are drawn to causes and are inclined to take an active role in championing them. As Millenials aka “Generation Y” are moving into leadership positions, many naturally speak their minds and express their concerns on issues.

What does this mean for you as an employer? 

When trying to motivate younger works to get involved in the voting process, encourage them to champion the issues they’re passionate about, and remind them of their role in making a difference for both themselves and the global environment in which we all live.

Tom Floyd
CEO
IEC: Insight Educational Consulting
Specializing in Change Management, Workforce Performance, and Employee Development

Getting Workers Out to Vote 2008



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