The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Dec. 12, 2025
Turnout of younger voters surged in the recent New York City mayoral race and the New Jersey and Virginia races for governor, according to a recent study by the Tufts University CIRCLE research center.
The Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, or CIRCLE, conducted exit polling during the November 2025 election and found that in Virginia, 34% of younger voters aged 18 to 29 voted, up 7%, and a 29% turnout in New Jersey, up 9%. In New York City, an estimated 28% of the age-group voted, compared with a 2013 average of the 30 largest U.S. cities at only 9%.
Those younger November voters went overwhelmingly to Democratic candidates. In New Jersey, gubernatorial candidate Mikie Sherrill received 69% support from younger voters. In Virginia, 70% voted for Abigail Spanberger for governor. In New York City, 75% voted for Zohran Mamdani over former governor Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa.
In California, 80% of younger voters supported the Proposition 50 redistricting measure.
The surge comes during the passage in other states of strict domicile and voter ID rules targeting college students, under the guise of “election integrity.” It’s not a coincidence.
We’ve linked the CIRCLE study at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
CIRCLE – Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement – Young Voters Power Mamdani Victory, Shape Key 2025 Elections
The Civics Center – These charts will change the way you think about youth voter turnout
State Court Report – (2024) The New Battle Over Youth Disenfranchisement
The Civics Center – Youth turnout in 2026 – Here’s what we already know about the youngest voters.Including a comparative view of the youngest voters in NH, VA, and MI.
Groups Taking Action:
VOTE.org, VoteRiders, RocktheVote.org
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State
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