Can the youth vote determine the winner of the US election?

The campaign teams of the two candidates in the United States presidential election have seen a wave of voter enthusiasm and support, especially among young voters. Voice of America correspondent Tina Trinh announces the increase in the engagement of young people in the electoral process, a group of voters which historically has had low participation in voting.

A growing group of voters in the United States are young people who could play a key role in this November's general election. They might even help elect the first woman president in America's history ... if they get out to vote.

"The reasons why young people have doubts about whether they should vote in this election are directly related to their frustration with the way the government is working. They are frustrated that change in their communities is not happening at the right speed," says Rudy Garret of the Alliance for Youth Action.

What boosted the enthusiasm of young voters was the nomination of Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee.

"Enthusiasm among young people to vote increased by 5% overnight," says Nick Ahamed, deputy director of Priorities USA, an organization that supports the Democratic Party.

Nineteen-year-old Celeste Galvez is one of those who feel energized.

"In the beginning, I did not plan to vote. But now that President Joe Biden has retired and Kamala is running, I'm excited about the possibility of having the first woman president. Now I am enthusiastic about political issues", says Celeste Galvez.

This increased enthusiasm has fueled growth in new voter registration. The 'Vote.org' organization announced that over 100,000 individuals have registered within seven days of President Biden's announcement of his withdrawal from the race for re-election. About 85% of these young voters are between the ages of 18 and 34.

The race for president, however, remains close and there is also a high number, especially of young men, who favor former President Donald Trump, the Republican candidate for President.

"Many of them don't see the American economy as beneficial to them. When the Democrats talk about the jobs that President Biden has created, they don't see themselves within that frame," says Mr. Ahamed. 26-year-old voter Frankie Russell is one of them.

“The way you can approach my peers is by talking to us. You can't compete like you used to on promises of tax cuts, the right to bear arms, and issues of religious belief. This is not enough. We need a commitment that no new wars will be started and that aid will not be sent abroad, but that the money will be invested here," says Mr Russell.

"Disappointment does not mean lack of interest. Young voters understand and pay attention to what is happening. They did not see their involvement in the electoral process as an opportunity for the change they wanted. But the change of the last few weeks has definitely created a new trajectory", says analyst Rudy Garret.

It remains to be seen whether this trajectory will translate into turnout, but it is clear that young voters cannot be ignored in the November elections./ VOA