Students Offer Insights on How to Engage More Young People to Become Politically Active

By Heidi Sanchez

During a recent, informal survey, college students in San Luis Obispo shared their insights into why young people are significantly less likely to vote than Americans over the age of 30—and what Democrats can do to engage more young people to vote and become even more politically active.

“It’s no secret that there is a lack of student participation in politics,” said Cal Poly student Natalia Quezadas. “For the Democratic Party to bring in more students, you need to meet them where they are physically and socially.”

That means a stronger on-campus presence like informational booths to create opportunities for students to learn about and become involved in political issues, added the former intern with the San Luis Obispo County Democratic Party (SLOCDP).

A Seat at the Table

It also means “a seat at the table and actual representation of our values in government,” and asking questions like: “How are these candidates representing us and our values?,” stressed Annamae “Mae” Rosplock, president of the Democratic Club at Cuesta College, which, among other things, promotes student voter-registration drives.

Cuesta student Heidi Sanchez echoes these sentiments: “If the Democratic Party wants to involve young people to vote and aid in its endeavors, it has to create that opportunity for them to be in the same rooms where they're creating legislature, discussing policy, and forming community.”

Another sure-fire way to ramp up student engagement is to dedicate a space where students can learn about issues and vote, said Cal Poly student Sofia Spiropulo, who noted Cal Poly’s example of setting aside its Performing Arts Center for students to cast their votes last fall on Proposition 50 which enables California to redraw congressional districts to elect more Democrats.

“Efforts such as these can go a long way to increase youth- voter engagement that is convenient for students,” Sofia added. “All in all, the more that youth-voter engagement is encouraged, the more willing young people will become civically engaged members of society.” 

Mae, also a former intern at SLOCDP, agrees: “At the end of the day if young people want to be in these rooms, they will be. We can encourage them and make these spaces as safe and approachable as possible.”

More Candidates Like Mamdani

But Democrats also need to home in on issues of most importance to young voters.

“From my experience what’s really on college students’ minds is student debt, affordable housing, the job market, and a stable financial future, said Charlotte Rosen, a Cal Poly political-science major and former SLOCDP intern.

This, she added, is why New York City major Zohran Mamdani is so popular. “He is focused on one key issue: making New York more affordable. When the message is tied to what people care about, young voters are more likely to engage.”

Stella Barnes, a Cal Poly political-science student and SLOCDP intern is also a fan of Mamdani who she said “has been the first instance of political hope and excitement for many people my age.

“If Democrats take genuine, innovative strides toward class solidarity as Mamdani has, young people would feel seen and inspired to vote as they did with his mayoral election.”

Social Media: Key to Reaching Young People

Pine Smith, coordinator of the SLOCDP Internship Program agrees that Democrats “need clear, relatable positions on issues that matter most to young people: Access to affordable education and housing, and the safety and security of their families and friends regardless of immigration status.

“Too often, she added, “Democratic leadership still operates in an older political style—long negotiations that produce incremental progress, followed by coverage in traditional media outlets that younger voters rarely engage with. When real progress is made, it should be amplified across the social-media platforms where young people actually get their information.”

Pine also noted the need for Democrats to financially support student participation in costly political events like state conventions. “If we want a more representative future for the party, we need to invest in making these spaces accessible and empowering young people from a wider range of backgrounds to participate.”