Ever since Dobbs overturned Roe v. Wade, Democrats have enjoyed greater electoral success than anticipated. And we are pretty confident that will continue, as many voters become aware of the scope of the Republican misogyny and performative cruelty toward women. Even this response to overt Republican hostility towards women may not be enough to overcome the insane enthusiasm of Trump’s followers, however. In particular, while younger people seem substantially, even overwhelmingly supportive of Democratic positions, we can’t be sure that they will actually be motivated to go to the polls and vote. I have a suggestion.
If you’ve been paying attention to right-wing rhetoric, abortion bans are not the only issue of importance to young people, and young women in particular. The plain fact is that the Christian Dominionist wingnuts are after contraception as well. Justice Thomas made it clear in his Dobbs concurrence that they are after Griswold v. Connecticut, the case which held that people had a right to privacy which included the right to obtain contraception, and other Republican pols and commentators have been explicit about their desire to limit if not ban birth control.
It seems to me that the Dems need to point out that the R’s not only want to ban abortion, they want to go back to the time before the Pill, to the ‘50’s and earlier when any woman who had sex with a man risked pregnancy. Is that really how young people want to live today? And if not, the message has to be clear—vote, and vote Democratic. Protect your right to determine your sexual and reproductive life and health.
Add in legalizing marijuana and continuing to address student loan debt, and I think we can galvanize youth turnout.