NextGen America
Originally founded in 2013 as NextGen Climate by billionaire Tom Steyer, NextGen America is focused on engaging and mobilizing young voters. It works to connect to young people around issues they care about, such as climate change and racial justice, and uses a range of strategies to get them to cast ballots, including outreach by phone, texting, mail and events.
Why This Work is Important
Young voters tilt heavily Democratic. Sixty percent or more of young voters aged 18–29 have favored Democratic candidates in the last four election cycles, making this group a core progressive constituency.
But they vote at lower levels than older voters. While turnout by young people has gone up over recent election cycles, just 23% of eligible voters aged 18–29 voted in 2022 and 50% voted in 2020 — rates dramatically below that of older voters. If young voters participated at levels comparable to older groups, it would have a dramatic impact on elections, resulting in more Democratic victories.
Young voters face unique challenges to participating. Many young voters are living on college campuses at election time, while those who’ve already graduated may move often and live in rented housing. Young people who don’t yet drive may also lack valid IDs. Getting these people to vote requires persistent outreach each election cycle, with attention to the specific barriers confronting young voters.
Democrats need more climate-centered organizing. NextGen started as a climate-focused organization and has continued emphasizing the issue while courting younger voters who care strongly about climate. Climate policy is often pushed aside for other priorities; anyone who wants to see greater movement in this area should help younger, climate-oriented voters gain more sway in the political process.
Why Donors Should Consider NextGen America
It has a decade of experience and a record of success. NextGen uses a varied outreach strategy that includes text, calls, social media, paper mailers and more to connect with as many young voters as possible. In 2020, which saw record-high youth turnout, NextGen says it connected with 1 in 9 voters under 35. In 2022, the group worked in key battleground states and reports that it made 1.4 million calls, sent 7 million pieces of mail, and sent 23 million texts – which registered nearly 78,000 people and garnered 91,000 pledges to vote. As part of its work, NexGen says it targeted 245 college campuses and ended the 2022 cycle with a 28,000-person volunteer base.
NextGen also works at the state level. The NextGen PAC regularly releases a list of endorsed state-level candidates and supports them with GOTV campaigns and youth outreach. The group supports progressive candidates every year, even when there are no federal elections. For example, NextGen was highly active in the critical 2023 Wisconsin Supreme Court race, sending more than 1 million texts and making 75,000 calls.
Conclusion
NextGen America has become an indispensable leader in driving youth voter turnout. The organization engages young people by addressing their highest priorities and it mobilizes them to vote through a number of channels. But NextGen still has its work cut out for it, given that younger voters continue to vote at lower levels than other age groups. Substantially closing this turnout gap would dramatically improve Democratic electoral fortunes.