Millennial Voter Turnout for the Pa. Primary Went Way, Way Up
This year’s Pa. primary was full of surprises.
The city chose a Democratic district attorney candidate who has fostered his reputation on defending progressive activists – and never once prosecuted a case. A major political insider endorsed by the city’s Democratic machine was beat out by a young former-budget director in the race for city controller.
Perhaps most importantly, more people came to the polls. Millennial voter turnout in particular skyrocketed from the 2013 Pa. Primary – more than any other age group, in fact.
Huge 279% increase in millennial turnout from the 2013 Primary to 2017 Primary in Philadelphia. 📈 pic.twitter.com/D8rnL78zyF
— Al Schmidt (@Commish_Schmidt) June 6, 2017
Voter turnout for those between 18 and 34 years old increased by an astonishing 279 percent between 2013 and 2017 – which is huge. All other age groups saw upticks, too: turnout for those between 35 and 49 years old increased by 152 percent, by 75 percent for those between 50 and 54 years old and by 72 percent for those older than 65.
It’s important to note that the commissioner’s numbers aren’t perfectly representative: the 2013 district attorney race wasn’t competitive (embattled former DA Seth Williams ran unopposed), so voter turnout was a little lower than normal that year – and lower than the last competitive DA race, in 2009, which the city doesn’t have comparable numbers for.
Still, with those numbers, it’s no wonder the city took a progressive turn at this year’s primary. Millennials saw the largest increase in voter share turnout (meaning percentage of the overall vote) as well – up by 90 percent from 2013.
There remains progress to be made for millennials, however – they still represent less of the overall vote than any other age group. They accounted for 19 percent of voter share this year – up an impressive 9 percentage points from 2013. Those between 35 and 49 years old comprised 21 percent of the overall vote (up 3 percentage points from 2013), while those aged 50 to 64 accounted for 29 percent (down 6 percentage points from 2013) and those above 65 represented 31 percent (down 6 percentage points from 2013).
Significant 90% increase in millennial vote share from the 2013 Primary to the 2017 Primary in Philadelphia. 📈 pic.twitter.com/YtSnijEsp0
— Al Schmidt (@Commish_Schmidt) June 6, 2017
Women in particular turned out the vote this year: Voter turnout for women increased from 10 percent in 2013 to 19 percent in 2017. Women represented 3 percentage points more of the vote in 2017 (women voter share accounted for 44 percent this year) than they did in 2013 (when it was 41 percent).
Though here’s another important note: both years, the commissioner’s office reported a large chunk of “unknown” voters in regard to gender. Unknown voters accounted for 28 percent of voter share in 2013 and 25 percent in 2017. Both years, men represented 31 percent of the voter share.
Follow @ClaireSasko on Twitter.
