The Kids Are Alright… They’re Just Not Voting – With Paul Jones (Young Dems of IL) and Lucille Wenegieme (HeadCount)

With a new administration about to take office, we’re kicking off our second season of B The Way Forward by talking about one of the most powerful tools for change we have access to — our vote. And digging into why – in the most recent presidential election -less than 40% of young voters showed up, compared to a record-breaking 50% in 2020.

GenZ and Millennials make up the largest voting bloc in the country. Re-engaging this slice of the electorate will be crucial for preserving our democracy for years to come. But can the major political parties do it? Or is it up to outside groups to find new ways to rally young voters without relying on the goodwill and political fortune of these institutions?

For a perspective on the inside approach, we chat with Paul Jones, President of the Young Democrats of Illinois to see why he thinks young people – traditionally a strong part of the party’s base – stayed home and how the party can get them back.

Then we talk to Lucille Wenegieme, Executive Director non-partisan voter-advocacy group HeadCount to learn why she thinks that to really get young people engaged, you have to meet them where they are – without the baggage of entrenched political parties.

For more from our guests, check out…

Paul Jones on

Instagram – @Jonesy630

Threads – @Jonesy630

Young Democrats of Illinois on

Instagram – @ilyoungdems

HeadCount on

On X – @headcountorg

On Instagram – @headcountorg

On TikTok – @headcountorg

On Facebook – /HeadCountOrg

On the Web – headcount.org

—

At AnitaB.org, our mission is to enable and equip women technologists with the tools, resources, and knowledge they need to thrive. Through innovative programs and initiatives, we empower women to chart new paths, better prepared to lead, advance, and achieve equitable compensation. Because when women succeed, they uplift their communities and redefine success on their terms, both professionally and personally.​

—

Connect with AnitaB.org

Instagram – @anitab_org

Facebook – /anitab.0rg

LinkedIn – /anitab-org

On the web – anitab.org 

—

Our guests contribute to this podcast in their personal capacity. The views expressed in this interview are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology or its employees (“AnitaB.org”). AnitaB.org is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of the information provided in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute legal or other professional advice or services.

—

B The Way Forward Is…

Hosted and Executive Produced by Brenda Darden Wilkerson.

Produced by Avi Glijansky

Associate Produced by Kelli Kyle

Sound design and editing by Ryan Hammond 

Mixing and mastering by Julian Kwasneski 

Additional Producing help from Faith Krogulecki

Operations Coordination for AnitaB.org by Quinton Sprull.

Creative Director for AnitaB.org is Deandra Coleman

Executive Produced by Dominique Ferrari, Stacey Book, and Avi Glijansky for Frequency Machine 

Podcast Marketing from Lauren Passell with Tink Media in partnership with Coley Bouschet at AnitaB.org

Photo of Brenda Darden Wilkerson by Mandisa Media Productions

For more ways to be the way forward, visit AnitaB.org