By Rev. Donald L. Perryman, Ph.D.
The Truth Contributor
Young people are the engines of change. They have the courage to speak out, the energy to act, and the vision to see beyond what is, to what could be. – John Louis
A once-fuzzy picture is becoming increasingly apparent with just one month until the 2024 presidential election.
Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are in the pole position to reclaim key battleground states in one of the closest, most tumultuous elections in American political history by relying on ground operations and, perhaps more crucially, the mobilization of young voters.
Harris-Walz’s strategy is to reconstruct the “big blue wall”—the three kingmaker states of 2016 and 2020: Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Winning these three states is critical, and the Democratic Party’s edge in these regions will allow them to build the base of electoral votes needed to ensure their path to victory, should the most recent polling numbers hold up.
In addition, Vice President Kamala Harris’s lead among young voters—bolstered by her popularity on critical issues like climate change and healthcare—may be enough to flip North Carolina, providing a surprising but crucial cushion in this ultra-close election. So, even if Harris and Walz should lose Arizona and Georgia, victories in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, and North Carolina would likely guarantee them a victorious path to 270 electoral votes.
Moreover, Harris and Walz have established field offices with boots on the ground across crucial battleground states, directly engaging voters in communities across Michigan, Wisconsin, and beyond. —170 in Pennsylvania alone compared to only 17 for Trump’s campaign.
They have even infiltrated parts of Georgia and Florida, establishing strongholds in hostile, overwhelmingly Republican territory, not necessarily to win these districts outright but to affect the down-ballot races that could impact critical Senate and House political races.
In contrast, Trump’s campaign is less visible in the streets, having decided to outsource its ground game to Super PACs. So, while Democratic volunteers canvas neighborhoods and mobilize their base using an in-person strategy, the Republicans are relying on large sums of money to appeal to “low information” voters who may be attracted to simple soundbites or stereotypes of other groups and less likely to fact-check the claims presented in massive negative advertising campaigns.
However, voter turnout eventually determines political outcomes, and effective ground games will usually tip the scales in competitive races. So, the strategic contrast in campaign operations between the Democrats and Republicans is significant.
With a campaign’s success tied to its ability to persuade voters, register them, and ensure they show up at the polls being so crucial, the Republican strategy that relies on expensive advertising campaigns and broad messaging to outperform a ground strategy focused on direct voter engagement – appears to be a tremendous gamble.
Yet, the youth vote is the most important aspect of the 2024 Presidential election. Harris’s lead in enthusiasm among young voters, as highlighted by the Fall 2024 Harvard Youth Poll, is quite telling.
Kamala Harris holds a commanding 31-point lead over Donald Trump among young voters, a demographic whose influence cannot be overstated. Young voters were critical in 2020 and will become even more decisive in 2024.
Political experts attribute Harris’s strong support among young people to her clear position on the issues they care about most. Candid about climate change and sustainable solutions, Harris’ candidacy is attractive for a generation that has witnessed hurricanes and tropical storms, wildfires and heat waves, storm surges, major flooding, and other natural disasters that have escalated in severity and frequency during their lifetimes.
In addition, Harris’s healthcare platform promises more affordable coverage and resonates with young adults struggling with student debt and limited job benefits. Moreover, the current president’s effective use of social media—speaking directly to young voters through Instagram and TikTok—further solidifies her appeal. Young people view Harris as an engaging “relatable figure” who is not only aware of their concerns but also more understandable and approachable than her older political rival.
Yet, perhaps her greatest asset is Harris’s enthusiasm advantage among young Democrats. The gender gap in this election is spacious, and young women, particularly, are rallying behind Harris, seeing her as a symbol of progress. With young women overwhelmingly supporting Harris over Trump, this is the type of energy that could push her across the finish line.
History has shown us that young people can create powerful shifts – often when least expected. Whether it was students like the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) or others organizing in the 1960s for civil rights, young people standing against the draft during Vietnam, the passion of movements like Black Lives Matter, or the March for Our Lives after the tragic 2018 school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, or the DREAMers fighting for their right to remain in the only country they have ever called home, youth have always been the decisive force in pushing for change.
These historical moments prove that when young people are enthusiastic and engaged, they are primed to be the game-changers we have been waiting for.
Why?
Because, ultimately, elections come down to the people—those who rise to the occasion and show up, are energized and mobilized, and confidently believe “It’s our time!”
Contact Rev. Donald Perryman, PhD, at drdlperryman@centerofhopebaptist.org