In some states, voting has already begun in what may be the most consequential midterm election in generations. The House and perhaps the Senate hang in the balance, and, with them, our collective future.
It is by now a well-documented fact: Most young adults don’t vote. That’s unfortunate in any number of respects, not the least of which is because it’s their future being decided. Also, let’s face it, it’s not a great look for their parents.
It’s been estimated that close to 50 million Americans under the age of 30 will be eligible to vote in November. Most will stay home: Youth turnout in presidential elections badly lags the general population and rarely exceeds 50% — and the numbers in midterm elections trend toward abysmal. The Center for Information + Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) at Tufts University estimated that 28% of citizens 18-29 cast a ballot in the 2018 midterm election and about 23% in 2022. By comparison, well over 60% of seniors historically turn out for midterms.
Social scientists have long speculated about the root causes of young adults’ under-participation in presidential and midterm elections: less-flexible work schedules; difficulty registering; uninspiring choices; a lack of civics education; and even feelings of cynicism, alienation, or a general malaise. Or how about these contributing factors — poor parental role-modeling, mentoring, and encouragement?
Parenting is hard, but it got much easier when I decided to stop haranguing and start leading by example. As bestselling author Robert Fulghum once wrote, “Don't worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you.”
Which brings me to one of the unexpected joys of raising my kids: “Bring Your Daughter to Work Day” (since appropriately expanded and rebranded as “Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day”). I loved showing them the ropes of adult professional life — and having a partner on my arduous, soul-numbing three-hour roundtrip commute (hoping, in vain it turns out, to conjure up some slight sympathy). But what I loved most was the opportunity to engage with my kids, if even for a little bit, in a substantive exchange about the nature of work and, by extension, the responsibilities of being an adult and parent.
As my kids grew up and went on to have kids of their own, those shared experiences have been all-too-rare (unless you count watching football together on weekends). But I have an idea for role-modelling, reestablishing lines of communication, and advancing a fundamental civic obligation: “Bring Your Young Adult to Vote Day.” And let's make it the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, every two years. This year it falls on November 3.
Bring your kids to vote? I know, that's easier said than done. First of all, many parents no longer live in proximity to their adult kids, and even if you do, you aren't likely to bring your young adult to a polling site. The increased popularity of mail-in ballots is also problematic, as voting by mail tends to be a solitary experience.
But there are lots of ways to engage with our adult kids, and help boost voter turnout in the process. They range from making a plan to go to the polling place together (and grabbing a beer or latte afterward), to filling out paper ballots together, or babysitting so any young adult parents can vote — or simply engaging with them in a timely conversation about the election. But the one thing each of us as parents can do is vote, and encourage our kids to do likewise.
Most pundits predict that House and Senate elections will be very close. Some of these races may come down to a few thousand votes. Young people may never have a better chance to shape the future. As parents, we have a unique opportunity and obligation to help them.
To be clear, this isn't about partisan politics. It’s about participation — and making sure their voices, and whatever beliefs and priorities inform them, are heard.
President Obama once said, ”The biggest threat to our democracy is indifference." But in the context of that idea, I find Eleanor Roosevelt’s observation equally poignant: “It is not fair to ask of others what you are not willing to do yourself.”
As citizens, we need to fulfill our foremost civic obligation by voting; as parents, we need to encourage and help our adult children to fulfill theirs.
Rob Densen is a concerned father and grandfather, and the CEO and founder of a strategic communications consultancy.
