Black People in Politics Discuss Youth Voter Mobilization

By Laura Onyeneho | Houston Defender | Word In BlackThis& post& was originally published on& Defender Network(WIB) – One demographic stands at the forefront of potential political change, and that is young Black voters.Across the nation, the& political power of Generation Z,& comprised of nearly 42 million 18-to-27-year-olds, could sway crucial races, including the deadlocked presidential contest. Half of these voters are people of color, which includes a substantial portion of Black youth who have shown increasing interest in civic engagement. However, mobilizing this group poses unique challenges that political leaders and organizers strive to address.Fort Bend County Commissioner Dexter McCoy. Credit: Dexter McCoyFort Bend County Commissioner Dexter McCoy, one of Texas’s youngest Black elected officials, is at the heart of this movement to energize young voters. McCoy has seen firsthand the importance of engaging Black youth in politics.For McCoy, engaging young voters early is crucial. “We know millennials and Gen Z are essential to our democracy,” he said. “The share of young voters is larger than that of baby boomers, but if they aren’t engaged early, the likelihood of their participation is low. This affects everything from who runs for office to the policies that shape our communities.”One such...