Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
If Young Voters Sit Out, Is It Over for Newsom?
Bill McEwen updated website photo 2024
By Bill McEwen, News Director
Published 3 years ago on
August 31, 2021

Share

Registered voters under 35 years old comprise the largest segment of the California electorate. But of the 6.1 million voters in the 18-34 age group, just 9% had returned gubernatorial recall ballots through Monday.

This low early participation rate surely is causing concern in Gov. Gavin Newsom’s camp.

“This segment of young voters, with that 40-point Democratic (registration) advantage, is going to clearly be the most critical parts of the electorate for the ‘no’ side to turn out in these last two weeks,” said Paul Mitchell of Political Data Inc. in an email.

And, CalMatters reported Monday that “Newsom and fellow Democrats are counting on turnout numbers similar to the November 2020 presidential election, when 54% of Californians ages 18 to 29 voted, a jump of 17 percentage points from 2016, according to the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement at Tufts University.”

In contrast, older voters appear engaged in the recall.

Through Monday, 18% of the state’s 22 million registered voters had mailed back ballots. But that total is bolstered by voters 65-and older. Thus far, they have cast 41% of the 4 million returned ballots even though they make up 23% of registered voters, Mitchell said.

College GOP Whips Up Votes for Elder

The top candidate to replace Newsom is conservative talk-show host Larry Elder.

The California College Republicans are targeting young voters on Elder’s behalf. The group’s efforts include social media, phone banks, and knocking on doors.

“CCR is proud to join the party grassroots in supporting a conservative for Governor. The California College Republicans are proudly socially conservative. …We urge the rest of the Party to join us, and we look forward to electing Larry Elder together,” the group said in a press release.

Larry Elder fires up the crowd at Clovis North High School on Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021. (GV Wire/Liz Juarez)

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

Fresno Authorities Search for Domestic Violence Suspect Considered Armed and Dangerous

DON'T MISS

NBA Memo to Players Warns About Organized Home Break-Ins

DON'T MISS

Fresno School Employees Say District’s Job Shifts Endanger Kids and Staff

DON'T MISS

Assemblymember Arambula Says He’ll Run for Fresno City Council

DON'T MISS

Business, Environmental Interests Oppose South Fresno Industrial Plan. What’s Next?

DON'T MISS

Take a Bow, Bulldog Football Fans. Some Power 4 Schools Would Love to Have You.

DON'T MISS

Community Hospital CEO Craig Castro Will Retire in Early 2025

DON'T MISS

Conor McGregor Must Pay Woman $250K in Sexual Assault Case, Civil Jury Rules

DON'T MISS

Judge Delays Trump Hush Money Sentencing in Order to Decide Where Case Should Go Now

DON'T MISS

Trump Gave Interior Nominee One Directive for a Half-Billion Acres of US Land: ‘Drill’

UP NEXT

Judge Delays Trump Hush Money Sentencing in Order to Decide Where Case Should Go Now

UP NEXT

Northern California Gets Record Rain and Heavy Snow. Many Have Been in the Dark for Days in Seattle

UP NEXT

Democrats Strike Deal to Get More Biden Judges Confirmed Before Congress Adjourns

UP NEXT

Newsom Gaslights on Potential Gas Price Hikes in Fresno Visit

UP NEXT

What Will Happen to CNBC and MSNBC When They No Longer Have a Corporate Connection to NBC News?

UP NEXT

Police Report Reveals Assault Allegations Against Hegseth, Trump’s Pick for Defense Secretary

UP NEXT

Gaetz Withdraws as Trump’s Pick for Attorney General

UP NEXT

‘Woke’ Terminology Not Commonly Used by Americans: YouGov Survey

UP NEXT

Republicans on House Ethics Reject for Now Releasing Report on Matt Gaetz

UP NEXT

Senate to Vote on Sanders’ Resolution to Block Arms Sales to Israel

Bill McEwen,
News Director
Bill McEwen is news director and columnist for GV Wire. He joined GV Wire in August 2017 after 37 years at The Fresno Bee. With The Bee, he served as Opinion Editor, City Hall reporter, Metro columnist, sports columnist and sports editor through the years. His work has been frequently honored by the California Newspapers Publishers Association, including authoring first-place editorials in 2015 and 2016. Bill and his wife, Karen, are proud parents of two adult sons, and they have two grandsons. You can contact Bill at 559-492-4031 or at Send an Email

Assemblymember Arambula Says He’ll Run for Fresno City Council

51 minutes ago

Business, Environmental Interests Oppose South Fresno Industrial Plan. What’s Next?

1 hour ago

Take a Bow, Bulldog Football Fans. Some Power 4 Schools Would Love to Have You.

2 hours ago

Community Hospital CEO Craig Castro Will Retire in Early 2025

3 hours ago

Conor McGregor Must Pay Woman $250K in Sexual Assault Case, Civil Jury Rules

3 hours ago

Judge Delays Trump Hush Money Sentencing in Order to Decide Where Case Should Go Now

3 hours ago

Trump Gave Interior Nominee One Directive for a Half-Billion Acres of US Land: ‘Drill’

3 hours ago

Fresno State Gets $500K Grant for Students Facing Homelessness

4 hours ago

NATO and Ukraine to Hold Emergency Talks After Russia’s Attack With New Hypersonic Missile

4 hours ago

Many in Gaza Are Eating Just Once a Day, as Hunger Spreads Amid Aid Issues

4 hours ago

Fresno Authorities Search for Domestic Violence Suspect Considered Armed and Dangerous

Authorities are searching for a 43-year-old man wanted on domestic violence charges in Fresno County. Related Story: Woman Found Dead in Fre...

17 minutes ago

Fresno County authorities are searching for Ray Weston McCall Jr., 43, wanted on domestic violence charges, and caution the public not to approach him. (Fresno County SO)
17 minutes ago

Fresno Authorities Search for Domestic Violence Suspect Considered Armed and Dangerous

24 minutes ago

NBA Memo to Players Warns About Organized Home Break-Ins

26 minutes ago

Fresno School Employees Say District’s Job Shifts Endanger Kids and Staff

51 minutes ago

Assemblymember Arambula Says He’ll Run for Fresno City Council

1 hour ago

Business, Environmental Interests Oppose South Fresno Industrial Plan. What’s Next?

2 hours ago

Take a Bow, Bulldog Football Fans. Some Power 4 Schools Would Love to Have You.

3 hours ago

Community Hospital CEO Craig Castro Will Retire in Early 2025

3 hours ago

Conor McGregor Must Pay Woman $250K in Sexual Assault Case, Civil Jury Rules

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend