Corryn G. Freeman: Democrats Must Deliver—Or Risk Losing Young Voters for Good

By Corryn G. Freeman

Less than two weeks after electing new leadership, all eyes are on Democrats as they forge a strategy to win back the voters they once reliably counted on. The stakes couldn’t be higher as Trump and his allies gut civil rights, attack democracy, and hand more power to corporations—all while young voters, historically a key voting bloc for Democrats, are questioning whether the party is still fighting for them.

At the recent DNC winter meeting, young voters and Future Coalition sent a clear message: we are the future of the party but too often an afterthought. Young people are expected to turn out, yet our priorities are repeatedly delayed. With new leadership—including Chair Ken Martin and Vice-Chairs Malcolm Kenyatta, David Hogg, and Artie Blanco—Democrats have a chance to show they understand what’s at stake.

For too long, Democrats have been defined by what they oppose rather than what they deliver. Meanwhile, Trump and his allies are ending historic investments in clean energy, gutting labor protections, and making life harder for young people. If Democrats want to win back trust, they need to stop talking about “what’s possible” and start fighting for what’s necessary: affordable housing, student debt relief, higher wages, and reining in corporate overreach.

The Challenge: Rebuilding Trust with Young Voters

The numbers don’t lie. Youth support for Democrats plummeted in the last election. In Michigan alone, the youth vote was evenly split between Harris and Trump—a staggering collapse from Biden’s 24-point lead in 2020. Black voter support also declined, with Harris receiving 84% compared to Biden’s 92% in 2020. The reason can’t be explained by economic anxiety alone. But the bottom line remains: Democrats failed to deliver on the priorities young voters cared about most.

Wages remain stagnant as the cost of living soars. Some student debt was canceled, but the crisis persists, leaving millions struggling with affordability. Yet, Democratic strategists pointed to strong macroeconomic data, ignoring young people’s lived realities—many of whom opted out or voted Republican.

That is a mistake Democrats cannot repeat.

Young voters are not disengaged; they are disillusioned. They have organized, marched, and mobilized for climate justice, racial justice, and reproductive rights. They’ve also been at the forefront of the labor resurgence in this country, driving union efforts at Starbucks, Amazon, and other workplaces. So while they haven’t turned away from activism, they are questioning whether any political party is truly fighting for them.

This is validated by recent polling from CIRCLE showing that many young voters don’t believe either party prioritizes their concerns, particularly on economic issues.

The takeaway is clear: young voters aren’t looking for empty rhetoric—they want action. They are paying attention to who has skin in the game and which leaders genuinely understand their struggles. Democrats cannot afford to let this moment slip by. If they fail to prove they are willing to fight for young people, they risk losing an entire generation to apathy—or worse—to Trump’s false promises of economic security.

How Democrats Can Deliver Without Holding Congress or the White House

Even without full control in Washington, Democrats have the power and the responsibility to act. This isn’t just about damage control—it’s about laying the foundation for bigger wins ahead. Taking bold action now is the key to rebuilding trust, expanding the coalition, and protecting the communities most threatened by Trump’s policies. If Democrats want to win decisively in the future, they need to show they can deliver today.

Democrats must act across two areas: state and local leadership and grassroots mobilization. Both are essential to proving that the party is not just reactive, but willing to fight for real change.

State & Local Leadership Must Step Up

Governors, mayors, and state legislators can and must deliver real, tangible gains for young people. Some states are already paving the way. In Maryland, young Democratic leaders introduced a bill to  raise the minimum wage to $20 an hour—not just echoing Trump’s hollow proposal to eliminate taxes on tips, but going further by securing actual wage increases for millions. This kind of bold leadership should be the standard for Democrats nationwide.

But elected officials aren’t the only ones who need to step up. State Democratic Party leadership—party chairs, local committees, and state political organizations—must also reexamine their commitment to engaging young voters. Too often, these party structures remain disconnected from the economic realities and political priorities of young people. If state Democratic parties want to remain relevant, they must build meaningful relationships with youth organizers, invest in year-round engagement, and ensure that young voices are at the table when shaping policy platforms.

The states are also where Democrats can take bold action on housing affordability. Expanding programs like down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers and implementing rent stabilization policies would help young people stay in their communities. They must also crack down on predatory landlords and corporate investors hoarding properties, ensuring housing remains accessible and affordable. Where national Democrats have stalled, state leaders—and the Democratic Party infrastructure in the states—must fill the gap.

Year-Round Engagement is Non-Negotiable

The Democratic Party can’t treat young voters as a seasonal outreach effort—mobilizing them only in election years and disappearing when it’s time to govern. If Democrats want young people to turn out, they need to show up first. That means sustained engagement, investment in grassroots movements, and elevating youth voices in decision-making.

Young activists have been leading the fight for climate justice, yet they’re too often sidelined from key policy discussions. Democrats must change that by partnering with youth-led movements to hold corporate polluters accountable, expand clean energy, and push real reforms—actions demanded by groups like Sunrise Movement and Zero Hour. Rebuilding trust requires more than rhetoric; it means creating space for young organizers who are already leading the way.

Young Voters Demand Action

While Democrats strategize for the next election, Trump and his allies are dismantling worker protections, gutting environmental safeguards, and cementing corporate power. Meanwhile, young voters question whether Democrats are truly fighting for them. To regain trust, the party must move beyond rhetoric and take bold action on wages, housing, and corporate accountability—delivering real policies that improve lives.

Young people are leading change right now, refusing to wait their turn.  Young people see who takes action and who makes excuses. Democrats can’t afford hesitation or half-measures. If they want to rebuild trust, they must prove—through action, not words—that they are willing to fight as hard for young people as young people have fought for this country. The time to deliver is now.

Corryn G. Freeman is the Executive Director of Future Coalition, a national organization dedicated to mobilizing young people for social change and progressive policy wins.