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Young Voter Organizing Group Says Outreach Part Of Historic Primary Turnout

A political organizing group charged with getting more young people to the polls says it had a role in Michigan’s historic primary election turnout earlier this month.

NextGen America says it’s behind the largest youth voting initiative in American history.

The group, which operates in 11 states including Michigan, says it has already registered 15 thousand young voters in the state.

Organizers take some credit for the historic voter turnout at Michigan’s August primary.

 “So, right around Michigan State University and right around Western Michigan University, areas where it has like 80 percent and above of young voters,  turnout doubled, tripled and sometimes quadruped,” NextGen Michigan Media Manager Janet Williamson said.

Election officials say the 27 percent turnout was the largest for a Michigan primary since at least 1978.

NextGen Michigan leaders say part of that increase in turnout was likely due to frustrated young people who don’t feel heard.

“Voting is really the only way the government has to listen to you and is the way we keep people accountable to represent us correctly and if young people don’t get out to vote we aren’t represented in Congress.  I’m really excited to get us represented in Congress,” NextGen Michigan Regional Organizer for Lansing Cayley Winters said.

Winters says NextGen Michigan’s goal is to pass progressive legislation such as healthcare for all, reducing the stigma of mental illness and protecting the environment.

The group plans to visit 35 college campuses this fall.

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