Clean and Prosperous America

Young Voter Research: Pennsylvania

To validate (or challenge) our observation that grassroots groups can effectively mobilize young voters of color in non-urban areas, we conducted a research project in Pennsylvania’s Dauphin and Lancaster counties. We selected those two counties as representative of typical non-urban geographies, removed from the media noise and national attention saturating the counties closer to Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. We were able to compare voting data from prior midterms and neighboring counties, to validate that indeed, both counties showed a positive turnout shift relative to the neighboring, equivalent (control) counties.

We also conducted surveys of young voters of color in both counties both before and after the election, to better understand their motivations for voting, and any barriers to voting. The findings, we believe, will be useful to anyone working to engage with young voters of color in non-urban areas, not only in Pennsylvania but across the country.