Political candidates are trying to reach young voters through social media

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KY3) – In the last days before the elections, the candidates make their final calls to the voters.

Some choose to connect with voters on social media.

Social media has become a powerful tool to reach voters. Politicians and even political campaigns use internet trends and memes to connect with new audiences.

The assistant professor at the University of St. Louis Keli Jackson said the use of social media in political campaigns was popularized by the Obama campaign, but has skyrocketed in recent years, surpassing traditional media such as advertisements and physical signs.

“People shouldn’t assume that young people are disconnected or uninterested or disinterested because they don’t interact with traditional media,” Jackson said. “They’re engaged and it’s happening online.”

Jackson said he’s seen both major political parties perfecting social media in different ways. While Republicans tend to use social media as a way to communicate directly with voters; Democrats tend to play into the trends of influencers and celebrities.

“We’re seeing both parties also engage in meme wars online, and that’s one way that social media is absolutely being used to reach younger voters of both parties,” Jackson said.

Unfortunately, Jackson said there is a downside to social media’s role in politics. The anonymity of the internet can contribute to the divisiveness we see in politics as people feel more comfortable attacking others online.

Young voters like Charlie Dahlgren engage in the election cycle in a different way.

“With the amount of time I spend on social media, it’s hard to deny that at least some of the opinion content I consume comes from social media,” Dahlgren said.

While they’re active on social media, some first-time voters like Landis Canada say it’s not the only way they get their information.

“I communicate a lot with my family about it, and I really am, because my family is pretty diverse with our views, so I inform myself through that and just my own research,” Canada said.

To report a correction or typo, please send an email [email protected]. Please include item information in the subject line of your email.