Early Ballots Are In: Are Young Voters Missing the Train to the Polls?

California’s gearing up for a big decision on November 4, and guess what? Around 3.4 million ballots have already been returned in the special election for Proposition 50. That’s about 15% of voters getting their mail-in ballots back in early. It’s interesting to see that as the ballots flood in, the usual suspects, Democrats and Republicans, are both boasting a 17% turnout. But independent voters? Not so much—only 10% have cast their votes so far.

The age factor is also making headlines with nearly half of the ballots returned coming from folks aged 65 and older. It turns out, those grandparent types are on top of their game while younger voters seem to be snoozing at home waiting for the last-minute rush. Are the younger generations too caught up in streaming shows or scrolling social media to hit “send” on their ballots? Maybe it’s time for them to step up their game and join the voting party!

With all that’s at stake—like redrawing the congressional map in a bid for political power—this election matters. It’s funny and slightly concerning to see who’s grabbing the early spotlight. So, will the youth show up before the polls close, or will they be left lamenting their missed opportunity while older voters enjoy their victory snacks at the polling station? Let’s hope those ballots get sent out soon, or they might end up with some serious FOMO on election day!