With the most competitive primary in recent New York City memory coming up and several viable mayoral candidates, more and more people in the Big Apple are hoping that their voting power will be respected and taken seriously by the politicians running for the city’s top job. Especially young voters, who are beginning to become an ever-larger voice in the city’s electoral process, are looking for an answer to the question: will NYC’s Mayoral Wannabes listen to young New Yorkers?
The Youth Vote’s Historical Struggle
The right to vote was won much easier by older and middle-aged Americans than it was by youth. Even in the first few elections after the 19th Amendment, which gave young women the right to cast their ballot, it took years for any real effort to be made to register and organize young voters.
The trend continued for decades until into the late 20th century, when young people began to form their own national organizations to get their voices out. And indeed it worked: the Youth Vote significantly increased in the elections of the late 90s and the 2000s.
But even though young voter turnout increased, there still was a gap between the youth population and youth political influence. As young people become a larger part of the population, the gap widens—which is why it is so important to find out if the 2021 NYC Mayoral Candidates are really interested in listening to the youth of New York City.
The 2021 Mayoral Candidates, Young Support and Young Issues
Many polls suggest that young New Yorkers are most likely to vote for Andrew Yang, followed by Eric Adams, Shaun Donovan and Kathryn Garcia. But of course, polls are just a forecast, and they don’t tell the whole story.
The main question is: Will the 2021 mayoral candidates listen to young New Yorkers and actually represent their interests, or are they just speaking to them?
Andrew Yang has a history of participatory democracy and outreach to young people, for example his campaign for a universal basic income. His approach to New York City’s issues may stand out from the other candidates in this respect, as he continues to focus on equity and justice initiatives.
Eric Adams also prioritizes youth issues, like education, youth development and employment opportunity. He is especially enthusiastic about organizing young people and empowering their political potential. Though Andrew Yang and Eric Adams are two of the strongest contenders for Mayor of New York City, there are still other mayoral candidates vying for young New Yorkers’ votes.
Shaun Donovan and Kathryn Garcia have both expressed their desire to increase youth engagement, though their emphasis is mainly on universal health care and green energy investment.
Young New Yorkers also support Maya Wiley, who has been a vocal proponent of youth engagement and youth issues like tuition-free college and student loan debt forgiveness.
Advocacy and Change
Ultimately, it is up to young New Yorkers to demand their issues be addressed. Even with youth turnout increasing in the polls, without advocacy and collective action, young New Yorkers will not make the progress they need.
Fortunately, in recent years, New York City has seen a growing number of young people take action—whether that’s running for office or starting grassroots organizations to advocate for change.
Young New Yorkers have also rallied around candidates like Andrew Yang and Eric Adams, who prioritize youth issues. And even when young New Yorkers are not explicitly organizing or supporting candidates, their votes count just as much in primaries and general elections.
Whether or not you are eligible to vote, young New Yorkers have an essential voice in deciding the outcome of the 2021 mayoral election. The answer to the question at the start of this article is still unknown: will NYC’s mayoral wannabes listen to young New Yorkers?
Young New Yorkers will have to keep pushing, advocating and voting to get the answer they need. As this election nears, it’s up to the youth of New York City to organize, speak up and make sure their issues are taken seriously by the candidates. After the polls close and the fate of the city is decided, then it will become clear if the 2021 NYC Mayoral Candidates listened to young New Yorkers.
