Millennial VCU students talk about what matters to them as local and national elections heat up

Think tanks, research companies and advertising agencies are falling over themselves trying to understand millennials.

Think tanks, research companies and advertising agencies are falling over themselves trying to understand millennials.

And with a little more than a year until the presidential election, politicians are desperate to connect. According to the Pew Research Center, millennials are poised to overtake the baby boomers as the largest living generation in the United States this year.

In the meantime, research and statistical data paint a picture of a demographic that views itself as ever-more removed from, and disgusted with, the Democratic and Republican parties.

A recent poll from Pew Research Center reveals that a majority identify themselves as independents when first asked. But 17 percent identify as Republicans and 27 percent as Democrats. In general, millennials have an increasingly liberal view on social issues and a more moderate stance on fiscal matters, regardless of affiliation.

Pew Research said nearly two-thirds of voters younger than 30 cast their ballot for Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential election, which is probably the last time the majority of them voted.

For the six midterm elections before 2014, 12 percent to 13 percent of the electorate was 18 to 29 years old. In 2002, youth turnout dipped even lower.

“We just lost faith,” said 20-year-old Natalie Wirt, president of the Young Democrats at VCU. “I don’t think that we don’t care about the issues. I think it’s hard to get a millennial to vote because they don’t think they are going to change anything.”

The economy is a common theme among this generation. They’re also worried about equality in general — whether that’s economic or social.

“Civil rights isn’t where it should be for everybody,” said Alex Ross, a junior at VCU. “Things have improved, but with #BlackLivesMatter, the riots, and all this tension, it’s obvious, that it’s not there yet. And, I feel like we’re not addressing it properly.”

Civil rights is also a top priority for 25-year-old Nicole Harrison. In spite of recent problems she thinks attitudes are changing, and she believes her generation is more liberal about social norms than those who’ve come before.

“I think we like to question things a little bit more,” Harrison said. “And, so I do think we are a little bit more progressive.”

Pew’s research seems to back this up. Data shows that millennials who identify with the GOP are actually far more socially progressive than conservatives of other generations, especially when it comes to immigration and sexual orientation.

“They’re not interested in judging others or imposing values on others,” said Wirt. “I think, as a result, they sometimes view the Republican Party as espousing a more old-fashioned attitude toward culture.”

Thus far, in the 2016 race, VCU students think both parties have made a poor effort to recognize the largest section of the American population.

“What many politicians today have yet to realize is that every political issue is a millennial issue,” said Samantha Sedivy, chairman of the Greater Richmond Young Republicans. “In the near future, millennials will take over as the political, social, and economic leaders of our country. Unfortunately, many political leaders today are hesitant to recognize millennials as a key voting demographic.”

Indeed, just a few weeks ago GOP and Ohio Gov. John Kasich made this point quite clearly at a town hall meeting held at UR.

Kayla Solsbak, an 18-year-old UR student, raised her hand to ask Kasich a question and he quickly dismissed her saying “I’m sorry, I don’t have any Taylor Swift concert tickets.”

The comment was largely panned by the media. Worse for Kasich, the young woman was a writer for the University’s paper, and promptly wrote a piece on what happened. This incident is one example of a larger trend of millennials being dismissed and patronized by politicians.

“We are in tune to the issues just as much or more than our parents and grandparents,” said Wirt. Indeed, for many millennials, this is the time for their first job or their start in college. What will the candidates do for the job market? How will they approach ever-increasing tuition rates? These are issues that matter to this generation.

In giving advice to millennials and young folks looking to get their voices heard, VCU’s Wirt said to start with paying attention. The voting record for millennials is dismal. Paying attention to local politics and getting involved at that level is an effective way to be noticed and help make a difference.

Sedivy agrees, noting that there are several opportunities to take advantage of right here at home.

“I would wholeheartedly encourage millennials to join the political conversation, especially on the state and local level,” she said. “Educate yourself on who represents you in government and what they have done to benefit your community.”

One more thing both Wirt and Sedivy can agree on, is for millennial to vote. As Pew, among others, have shown, millennials are currently the nation’s largest living generation. If they are wise, the 2016 candidates will lead the charge to recognize this dynamic group.