Young Black voters are emerging as a critical demographic, particularly those attending historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) like Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU). For students like Breanna D. McRoberts and Raiven Charles, the stakes are high.
Both are actively engaged in increasing voter participation and ensuring their peers are educated about the issues that matter most.
For McRoberts, a junior Political Science major, the 2024 election isn’t just about casting a vote; it’s about making informed choices that could impact her future and the future of her peers. As the daughter of a Black Air Force Chief, McRoberts has been immersed in leadership and civic duty since a young age. This upbringing instilled in her a strong sense of responsibility to engage with the political process and encourage others to do the same.
McRoberts’ voter awareness campaign, developed as part of her political resistance and social change course, is designed to combat the information gap she believes is prevalent among young voters. The campaign centers around a simple QR code, which students can scan to access essential voter information like registration deadlines and candidate positions on key issues.
“The biggest thing is information,” McRoberts says. “I truly believe that social media does not do enough in explaining the details. They’re more focused on the headline and what can get the most clicks, rather than the digestion of the reader and what they’re gathering from it.”
These days social media often serves as the primary source of news for young people. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok may be accessible, but they often simplify or sensationalize important political issues.
“You could go out to correct somebody and say, ‘Hey, that’s not necessarily accurate,’ and now it’s a whole issue,” McRoberts said.
Her campaign, aimed at empowering students with accurate, easy-to-access information, responds to this pervasive problem.
According to a University of Chicago survey, the top three challenges facing US citizens between the ages of 18 and 26 are economic growth (11%), income inequality (11%), and poverty (10%). According to the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, compared to teenagers of other racial groups, Black youth are far more likely to place a higher priority on combating racism, preventing gun violence, and paying off school loans. Their chances of participating and the most effective ways to engage them are affected by their pronouncedly diverse issue priorities.
When asked about the issues that resonate most with her, McRoberts points to criminal justice reform, healthcare access, and education as top priorities. The school-to-prison pipeline solutions, abortion rights, and student loan forgiveness are a few examples of what she hopes the future president will fight for.
“I feel like especially with minority voters, Black voters in general, we have been shamed out of questioning policies and the validity of the promotion of these policies,” she says. “Young Black voters are sometimes dismissed in political discussions, and we have a major influence in this election”
Charles, a senior at PVAMU and a six-year Navy veteran, shares McRoberts’ passion for political engagement but comes at it from a slightly different angle. For Charles, the 2024 election is a continuation of the rich history of political activism at PVAMU, where student protests once secured polling locations on campus. “Prairie View’s history motivates me,” Charles says. “It would do them a disservice not to get out and vote, plus it’s interesting to see a candidate who went to an HBCU vying for the position as President.”
Charles regularly visits classrooms to educate her peers on the importance of voting. She focuses not only on the historical significance of PVAMU’s activism but also on the practical implications of policies on the ballot.
“I talk about how important it is to get their voices out,” she says. “I notice that my efforts have had a noticeable impact on campus, where students are highly engaged and ready to vote.”
Her time in the Navy has also shaped her perspective on political issues.
“I deployed most of my time from 2014 to 2020,” she says. “I think about how politics on the ship affected me, and if I want things to get better for future generations, I have to fight and make my voice heard.” Charles is particularly passionate about issues like abortion and immigration.
“Abortion is a serious issue for me,” she says. “I think about the hoops I would have to jump through to take care of myself if it were life or death.” On immigration, she adds, “If we can’t protect our country’s borders, then who will?”
Despite the enthusiasm on campus, Charles acknowledges that many young Black people in her community feel discouraged from voting.
“People want to know their candidate is sophisticated and ready to take on the economy,” she observes, emphasizing the need for candidates who are prepared to address issues like inflation and job security.
Dr. Billy Monroe, a professor at PVAMU who specializes in Public Law and Texas politics, offers additional context for understanding the priorities of young voters. According to Monroe, the economy is often the leading issue on the ballot, influencing decisions on topics like inflation, immigration, and job security. He points out that while some young people may be focused on student loan relief, others are more concerned with issues like minimum wage adjustments, both of which directly affect their financial futures.
He also highlights the importance of voter education, particularly in a state like Texas, where voter ID laws can complicate the process.
“As long as individuals are informed about their voting locations and deadlines, the process can be streamlined,” Monroe says.
He also notes that while criminal justice reform was a major issue in 2020, it doesn’t seem to be as high on the current priority list, though the decriminalization of marijuana remains a topic of interest.
He says the key to increasing voter turnout among young people is to show them how government policies directly affect their lives. He believes that younger voters often feel disconnected from the political process because they don’t see the immediate impact of their votes.
“Older populations tend to have a louder voice in politics because they vote more consistently,” Monroe says, “but young people have the potential to make a significant impact if they engage.”
