Hundreds of first-time voters from all over the United States gathered in Washington, D.C., in July for a political experiment: a rare opportunity to discuss the 2024 presidential election’s top issues with strangers for three days straight.
The gathering, called “America in One Room: The Youth Vote,” was a collaboration between Close Up Foundation, Stanford University, the Generation Lab, global problem solving organization Helena and the University of Southern California. ABC News’ Christiane Cordero was there, talking to some of the young voters for “GMA3.”
The “America in One Room: The Youth Vote” gathering brought first-time voters from around the country together.
ABC News
The group of roughly 500 young adults from a variety of backgrounds spent part of their time together in one room. Otherwise, they gathered in small groups for face-to-face talks about different policy issues. Those issues range from the deeply divisive, like the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, to those with a direct impact on their lives.
For Emilea Johnson from Goodridge, Minnesota, a town with a population of around 112, that issue is health care.
“My dad is a farmer. My mom works at the church, which offers no benefits,” Johnson told Cordero. “So navigating the world of health care is extremely challenging when you have to try and figure it out on your own.”
Despite how personal the issue of health care feels, Johnson said she doesn’t have a problem hearing from someone who disagrees with her. Chardon Black from Cleveland, Ohio, expressed concern that many people in the U.S. consider others disagreeing with them to be a form of insult.
“I’ve learned that disagreements are OK and disagreements are fine, as long as you’re expressing yourself in your opinion and the things you care about,” he said.
Before and after the event, participants were asked to share how they felt about a range of issues.
“This is what polling should be,” Henry Elkus, founder and CEO of Helena, said.
These surveys foundd that the weekend experience increased the participants’ satisfaction with democracy from 29% to 58%
Opposition to a nationwide ban on abortion medication increased from 78% to 80%, the survey said, including among those who identified as Republican.
However, support for increasing the federal minimum wage dropped from 62% to 48%, according to the survey.
Emilea Johnson, Chardon Black and Elaine Gombos – from Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania respectively – discussed the issues they felt most strongly about.
ABC News
And while many participants said they were committed to climate action, after the event support for the U.S. achieving energy independence increased from 62% to 76%, the survey said.
Elkus highlighted a distinct lack of interest in partisan politics among participants.
“They don’t care about the candidates, they care about the issues,” he told “GMA3.” “We see this over and over and over again. They have a very grounded and felt sense that we need to fix this country.”
The ultimate goal was to reach consensus on one thing: take the lessons learned at the gathering and share them.
“Democracy is collaborative, and I hope that everyone will have access to such safe environments for us to share our stories, conversations and to deliberate,” Elaine Gombos from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, said in a video diary after the event.
These young voters will be polled again closer to Election Day, to see if their views have shifted. The event’s sponsors are considering doing another event in 2025 – one that focuses on views about artificial intelligence.
As the 2020 presidential election approaches, first-time voters in Washington, DC are gathering to discuss and debate political issues that are important to them. These young adults, many of whom are casting their first ballots in a presidential election, are eager to have their voices heard and make informed decisions at the polls.
The gathering, organized by local community groups and political organizations, provides a platform for these new voters to engage in meaningful discussions about a wide range of political issues. From healthcare and climate change to immigration and gun control, participants are eager to share their perspectives and learn from others.
One of the key topics of discussion at the gathering is the state of the economy and how it impacts young people. Many first-time voters are concerned about rising student loan debt, stagnant wages, and the high cost of living in cities like Washington, DC. They are eager to hear from candidates about their plans to address these issues and create economic opportunities for young people.
Another hot-button issue for first-time voters is healthcare. With the future of the Affordable Care Act uncertain and healthcare costs continuing to rise, many young adults are worried about their ability to access affordable and quality healthcare. They are looking for candidates who have concrete plans to improve the healthcare system and ensure that everyone has access to the care they need.
Climate change is also a top concern for first-time voters in Washington, DC. With extreme weather events becoming more frequent and the effects of climate change becoming increasingly apparent, many young adults are demanding action from their elected officials. They want to see candidates who prioritize environmental protection and are committed to transitioning to a clean energy economy.
Immigration is another issue that is important to first-time voters in Washington, DC. Many young adults are deeply troubled by the current administration’s immigration policies, including family separations and the treatment of asylum seekers. They are looking for candidates who will prioritize humane and compassionate immigration policies that uphold the dignity and rights of all individuals.
Gun control is also a topic of discussion at the gathering, with many first-time voters expressing concern about gun violence in schools and communities across the country. They are calling for common-sense gun laws that will help prevent mass shootings and keep guns out of the hands of dangerous individuals.
Overall, the gathering of first-time voters in Washington, DC is a testament to the passion and engagement of young adults in the political process. These new voters are eager to make a difference and shape the future of their country by participating in the democratic process. By discussing and debating political issues that matter to them, they are taking an important step towards becoming informed and active citizens.
