Remember the viral video of DeSantis berating kids for wearing masks at an event in Florida, calling it “Covid Theater?” Here it is, for the first time or to refresh your recollection :
The kids were not happy. One took off his mask at the event, saying he felt pressure from the Governor. Parents were outraged.
These kids were about 18 years old. I am confident a high percentage of them will vote against DeSantis.
But first they have to register to vote. Last week, the young voter activist group The Civics Center, released a study of 18 Year Old Voter Registration in Florida for Broward and Miami-Dade Counties. Your view of the results may depend on whether you are a “glass half-empty” or “glass half full” person.
First, note that nationally, 74% of adults over 25 are registered to vote.
But in Broward County, FL only 30% of 18 year olds are registered to vote. In Miami-Dade, it’s only 25%.
As a “half full” person, this tells me there are huge numbers of potential 18-year-old voters in Florida who can boot out DeSantis, last seen abandoning Florida Children by refusing to order the newly approved vaccines for kids under five.
It doesn’t have to be 74% or even close this year or in 2024. Adding even 10 points to the 18 year old percentage registration would have huge electoral implications.
And there’s a lot you can do. Through The Civics Center, you can:
Circulate this QR Code, which leads to step-by-step voter registration in all 50 states:
You can also volunteer and contribute to other groups such as Civic Influencers, which does fantastic work registering and turning out college students.