Experts at Rutgers University–New Brunswick are available to discuss how to reach young voters, including Generation Z and college students, and how they could impact the 2020 presidential election.

  • Elizabeth Matto is the director of Rutgers’ Center for Youth Political Participation at the Eagleton Institute of Politics. She is an expert on youth political participation, youth voter turnout, young candidates running for office and youth voter mobilization. 

“The 2020 election will be one like we’ve never seen in the United States,” said Matto. “As the nation grapples with a public health emergency, Election Day practices will be upended and confusion promises to follow. Just when college students were poised to make a dramatic impact on electoral outcomes, their participation in this year’s election is under threat. To mitigate the pandemic's effects on the youth vote, a nationwide response is required and colleges and universities can and must assume a lead role." 

  • Mark Beal is an assistant professor of professional practice at Rutgers’ School of Communication and Information. He is the author of Engaging Gen Z and Decoding Gen Z and has served as a public relations practitioner and marketer for 30 years.

“It is critical to understand that the pandemic and the demand for social justice this year are taking place during Gen Z’s most formative years,” said Beal. “Gen Z is the most diverse and inclusive generation in history so these will be important campaign issues. While Gen Z is the ‘purpose generation,’ messages of purpose, diversity and inclusion as well as a call-to-action to get out to vote will not reach them unless they are delivered via the media channels they consume. They do not watch traditional television or read newspapers. Anyone attempting to inform and motivate Gen Z to vote in unprecedented numbers for 18 to 23 year olds must communicate using compelling and engaging content on the primary channels they consume - Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube.” 

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Broadcast interviews: Rutgers University–New Brunswick has broadcast-quality TV and radio studios available for remote live or taped interviews with Rutgers experts. For more information, contact Neal Buccino [email protected]

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