For Immediate Release:
November 5, 2025
Press Contact:
Selasi Tagbor Morales
press@allianceforyouthaction.org
The Alliance for Youth Action Celebrates Young Voters as the Driving Force Behind Pro-Democracy Wins on November 4th
From New York to California, young voters powered pro-democracy outcomes that demonstrate the strength and staying power of young organizing
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Elections were held on Tuesday across 39 states, spanning local offices, gubernatorial races, and statewide ballot measures. Early data and exit polls point to one clear trend—young voters played a decisive role in shaping outcomes nationwide. From record-breaking turnout in New York City to high levels of youth engagement in Virginia, New Jersey, California, and Georgia, young people helped deliver victory for the largest and most diverse voting bloc in the country: young people. Across four key races in Virginia, New Jersey, New York City, and California, CNN exit polls show that young people turned out in large numbers and overwhelmingly supported Democratic candidates and policies. In New York City, strong youth turnout helped deliver decisive margins for progressive mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani. Young voters in New Jersey helped keep pro-democracy leaders in office. In Virginia, Representative Abigail Spanberger captured 70 percent of voters aged 18-29, while young Californians overwhelmingly backed Proposition 50, a reform to counter unfair gerrymandering and strengthen fair representation.
Rudy Garrett, The Alliance for Youth Action’s Vice President of Capacity Building had this to say to celebrate democracy showing out in full force:
“On Tuesday, young people delivered wins for democracy and structural reforms that will shape our country for years to come. When young people are presented with leaders and policies that speak to their lives, they mobilize—and they win. Young women continued to drive strong turnout, while majorities of young men across states broke through skepticism to back candidates and policies that move this country forward. This generation continues to prove its power and show that investing in young people’s leadership is how we build lasting power for our democracy.”
These wins weren’t an accident. They’re the result of organizing, community, and youth power in action. Across the nation, the Alliance for Youth Action’s Network led powerful efforts to mobilize their communities and win critical elections that will impact millions.
In Colorado, New Era Action Fund educated communities on local elections and championed Youth Agenda priorities, helping pass Propositions LL and MM to fund free school meals, ensure fair pay for cafeteria workers, and expand local food sourcing. Their organizing also helped elect leaders committed to improving wages, housing, and affordability.
In Georgia, the Georgia Youth Justice Coalition (GYJC) made history—helping Democrats win a statewide race for the first time in nearly two decades. Powered by young organizers, GYJC knocked on over 132,000 doors, flipped two Public Service Commission seats, and shifted control over energy and climate policy toward working families.
Engage Miami mobilized young, Latino, and first-time voters through creative outreach—from library drop-offs to door-to-door canvassing—distributing over 20,000 voter guides across Florida. Their efforts fueled a surge in youth turnout that helped put a Democrat in the lead for Miami mayor.
In Montana, Forward Montana activated voters through community events and education campaigns, leading to the election of one of their own—Emma Bode—to the Bozeman City Commission. They also helped defeat the misleading WARD initiative by a wide margin.
In Washington State, The Washington Bus powered youth participation through canvassing, phonebanking, and its annual Youth Day of Action. Their work helped elect pro-youth leaders and pass the Seattle Shield Initiative, securing funding for emergency shelters, food access, gender-based violence services, small businesses, and worker protections.
And in New Hampshire, the New Hampshire Youth Movement mobilized young voters across the state through door-knocking and texting programs, resulting in 11 of their 14 endorsed candidates—many of them young leaders themselves—winning city council and school board seats. In communities like Manchester, these victories are putting youth issues front and center in local government.
Looking ahead to 2026, the Alliance believes these results should serve as a blueprint for how to strengthen civic participation and democratic engagement in the years ahead. To build on this momentum, leaders and institutions must invest boldly in youth organizing, uplift pro-democracy leadership, and advance policies that reflect young people’s priorities. The organization plans to deepen its work with its robust network of youth-led affiliates across every region of the country to sustain turnout, deepen local power, and ensure that young people remain at the center of shaping the nation’s future.
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The Alliance for Youth Action grows progressive people power across America by empowering local young people’s organizations to strengthen our democracy, fix our economy, and correct injustices through on-the-ground organizing.