An organization originally designed to promote progressive causes like universal and affordable health care, green energy infrastructure, inclusion, and reducing income inequality, Nextgen America intensified its mission in 2018 to register and promote increased voter turnout among as many of the nation’s millennial population (ages 18 to 35) as possible in 11 states (Arizona, California, Florida, Iowa, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Wisconsin.)
Founded by Tom Steyer, a billionaire businessman and philanthropist who has been in the news for launching ads calling for the impeachment of Donald Trump, NextGen recognizes that millennial turnout has lagged behind other voting groups in election after election and their goal is to actively alter that trajectory this cycle and in future ones. Already, as of October 25, 2018, they have registered 253, 560 new millennial voters in the 11 states they are focused on with 7,133 volunteers. They are doing this by canvassing universities and colleges, hosting and promoting events such as movie screenings and petting zoos, conducting an extensive social media grassroots and online campaign, and walking door to door. Mostly focused on statewide and congressional candidates, the organization is also working its way to assisting more local candidates who are running for the state legislature.
